by Michelle Mayer | May 30, 2025 | Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Region F
At Special Olympics Illinois, health isn’t just a side benefit of sport—it’s central to the mission. Athletes are proving that with the right tools and support, people with intellectual disabilities can live longer, stronger, and more active lives.
Through the Healthy Athletes® program, athletes gain access to vital health education, fitness training, and preventative care—resources that are too often out of reach. And as we come to the end of Physical Fitness Awareness Month, no one embodies that mission more than Kaylee McLaughlin.
Kaylee, an Athlete Leader and Health Messenger from Region F, is living proof of the power of healthy habits—and she’s on a mission to inspire others to do the same.
“Be active so you can live a long life.”
That’s Kaylee’s motto, and it’s grounded in her own experience. With simple steps like taking the stairs, walking with family, doing arm lifts with water bottles, and adding squats to her routine, she’s built a more active lifestyle—one that fuels her energy, confidence, and independence.
Small Steps. Big Impact.
Physical fitness isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Kaylee encourages others to start small and stay consistent. Her favorite tips?
- Join free programs like Fit 5 and Weekend Warrior Workouts through Special Olympics Illinois.
- Find a workout buddy to stay motivated.
- Build in movement you enjoy, so it becomes part of your routine.
Healthy Living Is More Than Movement
Kaylee also champions nutrition and sleep as essential parts of her wellness routine. Her go-to choices: fruits and veggies, water instead of soda, and getting enough rest to recharge for the day ahead.
Wellness for All
Kaylee’s story shows that fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it should be accessible to everyone. Through programs like Healthy Athletes and leaders like Kaylee, Special Olympics Illinois is building a culture of health that lasts a lifetime. Discover how you can take the first step toward better health.
by lauryn | Apr 21, 2025 | Healthy Athletes, LETR, Mission Focused, Statewide, Uncategorized, Volunteers
When it comes to supporting Special Olympics Illinois, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to make an impact. Just ask Megan Hanna, Silpa Pallapothu, and Courtney and Brian Lahr — four volunteers whose journeys look very different but are united by a shared commitment to inclusion, community, and the incredible athletes of Special Olympics Illinois.
From Rooftops to the Finish Line
For Megan Hanna, it all started with coffee and community.
“I first got involved when I was hired by the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and volunteered for the annual Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop fundraiser,” said Megan. “I was hooked after that one event.”
Since that day in 2019, Megan’s involvement has grown from agency volunteer to Leg Leader for Leg 22 (Kendall County) as part of the Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
She’s plunged into freezing waters, pulled planes, and supported events like Spring and Summer Games, but the athletes are what keep her coming back. “I love volunteering because I get to witness the incredible strength, determination, and joy of the athletes who inspire me every day. It’s a chance for me to make a meaningful impact within our community and celebrate the power of inclusion.”
Bringing Health and Healing to the Field
Silpa Pallapothu, PT, DPT, Manager of Rehabilitation Services at Northwestern Medicine, found her home at Special Olympics Illinois through FUNFitness, a component of the organization’s health programming.
“FUNFitness allows me to combine my love of physical therapy with my love of volunteering,” Silpa shared. “I always enjoy participating in FUNFitness events and witnessing the joy when an athlete accomplishes a physical task they didn’t initially think they could do.”
Her passion for prevention and education aligns perfectly with Special Olympics Illinois’ mission to provide inclusive health care and screenings. Through her work with Team NM, Silpa has also helped recruit more clinicians, students, and volunteers to join the cause.
“My goal is to teach athletes the importance of injury prevention and how regular physical screenings can help identify areas at risk. I hope by providing education and exercises, they can focus on their sport and not worry about injuries,” she said. “If you’re thinking about volunteering — do it! You’ll leave with wonderful memories and a full heart.”
A Unified Family
In Region G, Courtney and Brian Lahr first volunteered for the 2018 Summer Games, helping out at the powerlifting competition. One day turned into a lifelong commitment.
“We saw so many amazing athletes giving it their all,” said Brian. “After the competition, I asked if we could help teach proper technique to ensure they stayed safe.”
Since then, they’ve worn many hats — mentors, friends, Unified Partners, and coaches — but say it’s the relationships they’ve built that matter most.
“I’ve made lasting relationships with so many fantastic athletes,” Courtney said. “I love showing up to an event and having the athletes remember my name and be happy to see me. I’ve even been able to share Special Olympics Illinois with our daughter, Sophia, who sees the athletes for who they are — amazing people.”
Their favorite moments are filled with laughter and celebration. From cheering on Unified bocce partner Hannah to watching golf partner Jacob qualify for state, it’s the smiles, hugs, and shared victories that stick with them.
“Find a way to get involved that fits your schedule and enjoy all the smiles that will surround you,” Brian advised.
Thank you to Megan, Silpa, Brian, Courtney, and to all the incredible individuals across the state who give their time, energy, and heart to support Special Olympics Illinois in many different ways. Whether coaching, cheering, organizing, or lending a hand at events, your impact is felt every day.
There’s always a place to get involved. Learn more and become a volunteer at soill.org/volunteer.
by lauryn | Apr 8, 2025 | Athletes, Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Region B, Uncategorized
Lauren Miller has been involved with Special Olympics Illinois for 18 years, starting as a young figure skater and later transitioning to swimming. As a Health Messenger for the past five years, she now shares her passion for health and wellness with fellow athletes.
Lauren’s journey began when she was just nine years old. After years of figure skating, she discovered a new passion in swimming, which felt more natural and gave her a sense of progress. Today, she trains with Evanston Special Recreation in Region B and stays active through personal training and solo workouts. Outside of sports, she loves spending time with her cat, listening to music, and reading.
As an advocate for athlete well-being, Lauren is using Stress Awareness Month as an opportunity to share her strategies for managing stress and staying balanced.
Q&A with Health Messenger Lauren Miller
Q: Why is it important to talk about stress?
A: It is very important for athletes to talk about stress because if something is stressing you out, it will affect your performance when you are working out and/or in your sport. For example, if you had a bad day, you might not feel motivated to workout and/or go to your practice session. You might feel like you can’t do it and make a mistake. You might not be focused. So yes, it’s very important for athletes to talk about stress. Coming up with solutions to calm yourself and telling yourself you can do it before a workout and/or before your practice session could definitely help you.
Q: What are some signs that someone might be feeling overwhelmed or stressed?
A: Some signs of being overwhelmed or stressed could be unsteady breathing, hands clenched in fists, body is tensed, or you could be pacing around.
Q: What strategies do you use to manage stress in your daily life?
A: To manage my stress, my favorite strategy is to do some deep breathing. I take in a nice, big breath, count to five, let it out as I count to five, and then do it again until I feel more relaxed. Another strategy I practice is stretching. Even when I’m not working out, I love it. As I stretch, my body becomes less tense and more calm. It feels great.
Q: How does staying active and exercising help with stress?
A: Staying active and exercising helps you stay calm because you start to feel more positive and motivated. You have a lot more energy to do more.
Q: How can teammates, coaches, and family members support athletes who are feeling stressed?
A: Coaches and family members can support athletes by having conversations to understand where their mind is at. Get an idea of what they already understand on their own. Let the athlete ask questions about what they don’t understand. For teammates to support each other, they can ask if they are okay, ask if they want company or not, and remind each other that they are there if they need a friend.
Q: What advice would you give to a fellow Special Olympics Illinois athlete about handling stress?
A: I would tell my fellow athletes that handling stress is important. Finding a balance between healthy relationships and taking care of yourself will be very helpful. I would say that they aren’t alone. I have stress too and I don’t always make the right choice. I understand how you feel.
Inspiring Wellness Year-Round
Lauren’s dedication to maintaining her own well-being while encouraging others to do the same makes her an incredible Health Messenger. By sharing her story and stress management strategies, she hopes to inspire fellow athletes to find healthy ways to cope and thrive, not just during Stress Awareness Month but all year-long.
Learn more about Special Olympics Illinois Health Initiatives.
by Kira Ryan | Mar 10, 2025 | Athletes, Healthy Athletes, Mission Focused, Organizational Impact, UCS/Unified, Uncategorized
Special Olympics Illinois had an impactful two days at Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C., advocating for inclusion in health, education, and sports. Nearly 300 athletes, Unified partners, staff, and volunteers from around the country participated in more than 300 meetings with members of Congress, sharing how our organization changes lives and the importance of continued support.
Our Illinois delegates shared powerful stories during the trip. Montrell, Special Olympics Illinois athlete, said, “Transferring into the Unified program made me feel important and welcomed into the school community.” His Unified partner, Scott, added, “In our Unified program, we gain friendships for life. I know I can call on Montrell for anything, and he can do the same for me.” Athlete Leader and Health Messenger Taylor highlighted, “The Special Olympics Illinois Health Messenger program has empowered both mine and my son’s independence by equipping us with the tools of better health practices, nutrition, and an overall healthier lifestyle.”
We are grateful to the legislators who took the time to meet with us, including Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Senator Richard Durbin, Congressman Danny Davis, Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congressman Eric Sorensen, Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Congressman Mike Quigley, and Congressman Sean Casten. We also appreciate the offices of Congressman Chuy Garcia, Office of Rep. Lauren Underwood, Congressman Bill Foster, Congressman Brad Schneider, and Congressman Darin LaHood for their time and support.
A special thank you to Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver and CEO Mary Davis for joining us in meetings and reinforcing the importance of our mission.
