My name is Natalie Green. I’m a 25 year old who was born with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and an intellectual delay, and I’m an advocate for people with disabilities who thinks that inclusion is really important. I’m getting ready to attend the Dignity Leadership Summit that takes place here in Utah this month, and I wanted to interview some of the people in my life about what Inclusion means to them. Everyone that I talked to in Utah has, or has a relationship to someone with an intellectual or developmental delay (IDD).
These were the questions:
- Can you tell me something about yourself?
- What is your relationship to intellectual disability?
- How have you been involved in Special Olympics?
- Are you involved in Unified Sports, or any teams? If so tell me about it and your journey getting involved.
- What does inclusion mean to you? Is it important for those with disabilities to share their voice?
- (Bonus): is there a favorite quote that you live by? What is it?
I asked these questions to athletes, coaches, parents, employers, political figures, and celebrities.
From the responses I can see that helping others is important, and knowing someone with an IDD shapes people’s lives positively. Inclusion is more than just giving someone a seat at the table. It’s about conversations. It’s about leaning in and getting to know someone. Sports opens doors. Teamwork builds respect and friendship. We all grow. We all learn something when we build community, and can allow each other to do what we love. It’s not just our voice; we need to listen to people around us. Being a leader means seeing something in yourself and knowing that you can share by showing up, through courage and kindness. And last, there is still work to do.
Responses came from Utah First Lady Abby Cox, who I have worked with many times through Special Olympics and ShowUp Utah; Rep. Blake Moore, whose son bowls with us on our Special Olympics bowling team; and Utah Royals athlete Paige Monaghan, who volunteers and trains with my soccer team.
Chelsea Lopez
Store Manager at Lucky Ones Coffee at the Salt Lake City Public Library in Marmalade, and Cheer Coach for Special Olympics Utah
Hi, I’m Chelsea. I enjoy spending my time in nature, doing things that support and uplift others around me and deep diving into my many passions. I currently work for a Non-Profit inclusive coffee shop called Lucky Ones Coffee. I’m continuously soaking up the little joys life has to offer and looking for opportunities to spread that joy to others as well.
I have many friends who have intellectual disabilities. I also work and volunteer regularly with individuals who have intellectual disabilities. I’ve always had a special connection to individuals with intellectual disabilities, which has heavily shaped my life’s path so far.
I’ve volunteered with Special Olympics since I was a teenager. I started helping run the cheer program in Utah and now coach a Special Olympics cheer team each season. It’s been a very positive experience!
Inclusion means creating and maintaining spaces where people feel heard, seen, welcomed and supported. To me, inclusion doesn’t just mean inviting someone to the table. It also means learning about what a person needs to feel safe. This can mean learning about someone’s disability and how it affects them, so you can co-create relationships, environments and spaces that are genuinely supportive. I’m a huge advocate for understanding peoples’ differences so I know how I can be the best friend, family member, co-worker, coach (and whatever other title) I have, to as many people as possible.
I believe it is extremely important for those with disabilities to have a voice. Those are the exact voices that will best advocate for a more inclusive world. I believe it is important to listen and learn directly from people who have disabilities, as they are the ones who know what works and what doesn’t work for them. We can all benefit greatly from the voices of those with disabilities.
Lilly McCleery
College student at University of Utah, dance coach for Salt Lake Stars, a Special Olympics DanceSport team
Hi!! My name is Lilly McCleery I am a college Student at the University of Utah, graduating this year!! I recently got engaged to my fiancé Warren, we will be getting married this March! I spend most of my time working as a nanny, finishing up nursing school, volunteering with Special Olympics Utah or adventuring with Warren and our friends and family!
I grew up with an Uncle with intellectual disability so I have been pretty familiar with what it means most of my upbringing! I now volunteer with Special Olympics Utah and get to work with Athletes and Partners that have different experiences with ID.
I started with volunteering as a Special Olympics dance partner a few years ago! Now I am a head coach for dance and also volunteer with other sports throughout the year, such as skiing and bowling, etc!
I am involved with the amazing Salt Lake Stars! I heard about them through a family in my neighborhood, then I got introduced to Judy Hut who founded the team, I absolutely love the Stars! They have become like a total family to me, it is the most positive atmosphere and the most friendly of people!
Inclusion to me is pretty simple, it means everyone, everywhere belongs and is perfect exactly how they are. I think it’s important for everyone to share to their voice it’s not something anyone should shy away from, everyone should be proud and share their story.
Favorite Quote: A quote I live by is from Cinderella – it is “Have courage and be Kind” – simple, strong and meaningful
Kyle “Pickles” Karren
Special Olympics Utah Athlete Leadership Council, Ambassador, Soccer athlete, Pickleball player and promoter
I’m Kyle Karren I have been a part of special Olympics since 2016. I do a lot of volunteer work as an athlete leader, global messenger. And I play soccer, pickleball and flag football with Special Olympics.
I have an intellectual disability myself, a developmental disorder but I have many friends who also have an intellectual disability themselves on my teams that I play with
I’m involved in Special Olympic not just as an athlete but as an athlete leader, global messenger, co chair to the board of directors and athlete council.
Ok this is how I got involved not only unified sports but Special Olympics as a whole. I had nothing to do with Special Olympics in 2015, I didn’t even know what Special Olympics was. I was doing soccer for the high school I went to and I was getting ready for a game, my dad called me to tell me that RSL was making a team and they had tryouts. The problem was that my high school team had a game at the same time, so I had to make a choice I told my dad that I couldn’t make the tryouts. Later that day after I finished the high school game my dad called me again and said that they want me at the RSL stadium when I can, so after I got off the bus at my school my parents picked me up, and we went to the RSL stadium. The funny thing is that when I got there Boston a great friend and Special Olympics Utah (SOUT) staffer came up to me and asked if I was a partner or an athlete, which I didn’t know what that meant since I had no experience with Special Olympics but ever since that day I will never give up that chances that I’ve gotten nor the chances that I’ll get.
Inclusion means a lot to me it’s not just having everyone getting a chance to play but to get leadership roles opportunities to speak at events, or talk to our states representatives and senators, to show that we want to be involved.
Favorite Quote: I don’t have a quote that I live by but some of my favorite quotes are NEVER GIVE UP NEVER SURRENDER, and MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
Judy Hut
My mentor; Head of Delegation for Special Olympics Salt Lake Stars; Community Engagement Program Manager, UServeUtah
Fun fact: I grew up in the same house in Cottonwood Heights in between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons but I don’t know how to ski! I have a nephew who has Down Syndrome.
I worked at Special Olympics Utah for 3 years and have been volunteering for 9 years. I’ve been a day of event volunteer, fundraiser, assistant coach, coach, mentor and Head of Delegation (HOD).
I started a Special Olympics Utah community team, the SL Stars, because there wasn’t a team in my area. Ever since I worked at SOUT, people told me how much they needed and wanted a unified sports team on the east side of Salt Lake County. I got tired of hearing “someone should do this…” and decided “that someone should be me!” I tested the waters and organized two athletes and two partners to participate in a pandemic-era bowling tournament, and then in 2022, I officially launched the Salt Lake Stars with the first ever Special Olympics dance team in the USA. I wanted my nephew, my friends with disabilities, my daughter and her peers to have opportunities to play and participate in unified sports together. We now have over 200 athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on our roster. We offer 7 unified sports and everything we do as a team is to promote the mission of inclusion!
Inclusion means that everyone is welcome and feels like they belong. It’s about friendship and unity no matter your abilities or backgrounds. It’s what unifies communities and builds bridges.
Favorite Quote: “Work hard and be nice to people” or “the best is yet to come“.
Jenna Holland
Head Coach of Real Salt Lake Unified, and Utah Royals FC Unified Special Olympics soccer teams; Regional Manager at Futures Through Choices
Growing up I always knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I played soccer all through my childhood and into college. Knowing what the sport has done for me and how it shaped who I am, I wanted to share it with others through coaching.
I have worked for the same provider for the last 27 years, supporting adults with disabilities. It has been both a career and a passion for me, and I feel privileged to be part of so many individuals’ lives.
In 2001, my sister and I started the Special Olympics Utah Northern Thunder Delegation. In 2016, I was asked to coach the Real Salt Lake Special Olympics Unified Team, and I continue to coach them along with the Utah Royals Special Olympics Team. Both experiences have been highlights of my life.
I am actively involved with Unified Sports. My journey started when I saw how powerful it was to bring athletes with and without disabilities together on the same team. Coaching Unified teams has allowed me to witness incredible friendships and confidence grow among the players. It has shown me firsthand how sports can break down barriers and create lasting inclusion.
Inclusion means making sure that everyone has a place where they feel valued, respected, and heard. It’s about creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities to participate fully, not just in sports, but in the community. I believe it is absolutely important for those with disabilities to share their voices, because their experiences and perspectives make the world richer and more understanding.
Favorite Quote: “A good coach can change the game, a great coach can change a life.” This quote resonates with me deeply because coaching is not just about the sport, it’s about helping others reach their potential on and off the field.
Tiff Sprague
Store Manager at Lucky Ones Coffee at the Salt Lake City Public Library in Marmalade, Recovery Assistant at House of Hope, college student at University of Utah
I was born and raised in southern Nevada, but ended up also living in the Northern Midwest during high school. I’ve always lived in smaller towns, and so moving to Salt Lake was a big change for me. I am the youngest of five siblings, and I have lots of nieces and nephews. When I was growing up in Nevada, my mother worked in my elementary school “autism room” as they called it back then. I befriended and socialized regularly with the children in my age range who had intellectual disabilities. I also worked with a disability center in North Dakota for a year as an adult.
When I worked for the disability center in ND, I would take my “house” of girls to their Special Olympics practices, meets, and whatnot. I have not attended these events otherwise, but I did while working as a direct support professional. I have wanted to join adult leagues to get involved in sports again, but my schedule is pretty packed right now and I don’t have a huge excess of free time. I am also a little scared of the social aspect of getting onto an adult league, and I have a physical disability that could allow me to get injured very easily. I think I will get involved at some point in the future, but it is not absolutely set in stone. Inclusion means room for everyone. I like the allegory of a fence to symbolize inclusion. If you and a friend are both struggling to see over the fence, but you are a foot taller than your friend, and only brought a stool tall enough for you, is that stool going to help your friend? No, and that’s why sometimes “equality” might not actually be inclusive. Sometimes we have to go farther out of our way, investing more time and energy than normal – to include the people who are our friends.
Yes, I think it’s vital that people with disabilities share their voices. If we never hear from people different than us then it’s very difficult for us to grow as people as well as collectively as a society. Inclusive environments don’t take away anyone’s rights or privileges, but unfortunately there is harmful rhetoric out there claiming that it does. It’s important that people who have the capability to share their experience go out there and share it, because otherwise we would miss stories and perspectives that are valuable and could be life-changing for some people.
Favorite Quote: “You’ve survived 100% of your bad days so far, and you can survive this one too“. I am not sure who said this, or wrote it, and I may have even forgot the right wording, but I really like this quote. I did not have an easy time growing up, and I had some very bad days that I did not think I would survive. I like to remind myself, and put things in perspective when I start to get overwhelmed or feel down. I also use this quote as a reminder to practice gratitude, because life has gotten better and easier for me. It’s a good way for me to remember that I have inner strength, and I am capable of doing hard things.
Steve Pollock
Teacher, Jordan School District
My name is Steve Pollock. I grew up in a small town in Northern Idaho. I have 4 adult sons and 4 grandchildren. I have taught in Jordan District for 28 years. I love to golf, do a little gardening and spend time at Bear Lake
My relationship began several years ago when I was asked to include students from our school cluster in my social studies class. For many years, their students were included in my class with an adult aide. By having these students included in my class, I learned two things:
- I wasn’t differentiating my curriculum enough for my lower students. (I became a better teacher.)
- These students were often overlooked for simple everyday activities. (this needed to change)
My involvement in Special Olympics began when I moved from social studies to PE. I continued to have these cluster students in my class. The district also began having wonderful opportunities for these students to participate. It was just an obvious move for me to help coach basketball, soccer, and bocce for UNIFIED.
I am definitely involved in Unified Sports. It started small with attending a golf event at Glenmoor. We started small with inviting Ms. Mair’s class to come and play basketball or soccer during DEAR. I have been to many trainings from SOUT. It got to a point that they were thinking of letting Bocce disappear from the schedule. I determined that it was my responsibility to keep it on the calendar. I volunteered to HOST the JSD Bocce Tournament.
What I learned from the beginning of having students with disabilities in my social studies class:
- Students with disabilities need to have time with their peers. They don’t want to be in classes all by themselves. They need to interact with everyone.
- All other students need interactions with students with disabilities. It helps them learn empathy. It helps them to not feel AWKWARD around their classmates. IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYONE.
Favorite Quote: I like any quote that includes kindness. We live in a world where we have lost kindness. BE KIND.
Brady Johnson
Special Olympics Utah Athlete Leadership Council, Ambassador, athlete
I’ve been involved with Special Olympics for over 8 years. I’m passionate about photography and comic books. I’ve had dogs all my life and currently have 3.
I have autism and I work with special needs children.
I’ve interned at the Special Olympics Utah (SOUT) state office. I compete and coach for the Hartvigsen Huskies. I’m an Athlete Spokesperson and as of this year, I’m a member of the Athlete Leadership Council.
I compete on Hartvigsen’s Unified Golf and Basketball teams
To me, inclusion means that everyone gets a seat at the table and we get all get a chance to show what we can do. I believe it is incredibly important for people with disabilities to share their voices and their stories as it helps spread empathy and understanding
Abby Cox
Utah First Lady, State of Utah; Founder, ShowUp Utah; Special Olympics Utah Advisory Board
I grew up in the small town of Mt Pleasant, Utah on a cattle and sheep ranch. I love riding horses and reading great books. I am passionate about education and helping all people to feel love and belonging.
I was inspired at an early age by my friendship with someone who had Downs Syndrome. Because of that connection, I became a special education teacher. Through my experiences in teaching, I gained a love and appreciation for people of all abilities and how we can be inclusive in every aspect of life.
I currently serve on the Special Olympics Utah advisory board. I have made Special Olympics Unified Sports a pillar of my First Lady Initiative. I have coordinated with and attended Global Special Olympics games as well as USA games. I am currently using my platform to convene other first spouses across the country to engage with their own states’ Special Olympics organizations.
My ShowUp organization has been recruiting more schools across the state to implement Unified Champion Schools. My team and I have been sponsoring state unified basketball and soccer tournaments for the last 4 years. We have had photo shoots for unified athletes as well as taking unified teams to the USA games in Florida (and next year in Minnesota).
Inclusion means that every person feels seen, loved, and knows they belong. It means making space for everyone no matter their ability. It means finding ways to open our hearts and circles to someone who may think, look, and learn differently than I do.
Favorite Quote: “You can pretend to care but you can’t pretend to ShowUp!“
Cindy Garrett
Special Olympics Parent; Skills Trainer at Huntsman Cancer Hospital
I’m a coffee lover and Broadway enthusiast who loves traveling and exploring new places. I’m a Green Bay Packers and Utah Utes fan. I support the arts. I also love watching dance and gymnastics. I am a caregiver, leader, trainer and a dog lover. I can touch my nose with my tongue. I’m great with math and numbers. I’ve killed every plant I’ve owned. I’m fiercely loyal and love with all my heart. I’m a huge hugger. I’m 46 years old and still sleep with a stuffed animal. I randomly will insert the words marshmallows into a phrase. I like to plan my escape route in public places in case it’s ever invaded by velociraptors. Did I mention I love randomness and creativity? I’m a city girl with no crafty abilities.
I’ve dealt with intellectual disability my whole life. My aunt Guadalupe on my mother’s side was intellectually disabled. I only met her a couple of times but we instantly bonded. She sadly wasn’t given opportunities to grow and evolve. She didn’t have community and was very sheltered. Looking back with adult eyes, and thinking about what she had to go through and the lack of resources breaks my heart.
My own sister Gloria also had intellectual disability. She had a public education and had special education services. She was 9 years older than me but intellectually she was behind me. She had special education at school and ultimately graduated from Granite High School and went to the Hilda B Jones Center in the Granite School District. She has a short term job but ended up quitting. She didn’t have friends, community, and it felt like I was her only friend.
Then I had a son with intellectual disability. It takes his brain a little more time to comprehend instructions and to make a decision. Sometimes just communicating will take him a while to get to the point of his story. I strived to push him to learn and try new things. To break outside his box and make friends. He’s found inclusion, community and resources. He’s opened up and evolved so much through the years.
I’ve been involved through my son. He’s been involved for a couple of years. We’ve fundraised and donated. Special Olympics provided my son with the chance to represent dance, Utah and his country.
Inclusion is important. Everyone wants acceptance and to be included. It builds love and trust. It brings opportunities for diversity and growth.
Trey Garrett
Special Olympics athlete, World Winter Games competitor, Disability Speaker, Assistant at Schmidt’s Family Farm
I have Autism. I like puzzles, video games, watching movies and playing sports. And I have a job at Schmidt’s farm and greenhouse.
It makes it hard for me to make decisions. It makes it hard for me to think of things. Sometimes it takes me more time to process. Plus it’s like I have to make sure what I’m hearing is right.
Oh there’s lot of stories to tell. I won a bronze medal in the Special Olympics Winter World Games in dance. I’ve been in a lot of sports like soccer, bowling, bocce, dance, and top golf. I’ve also done fundraising like root beer floats and things.
I’ve been in special Olympics that have unified sports. I did bowling with Boston one time as my unified partner. I also had top golf with a unified partner.
Inclusion means everything to me. It makes me feel like I’m part of the community. It’s very important for people with disabilities to share their voice so people won’t want others to feel left out.
Favorite Quote: “Do or do not, there is no try.” – Yoda
Blake Moore
US Representative (Utah); Special Olympics Parent
I’m a father of four amazing and very different boys and husband to Jane a 15 years. Jane is the best mom and partner I could ever hope for in this crazy world we live. I have always travelled a lot for any job I’ve had and she is able to handle all that comes with that so well. I represent Utah’s First Congressional District and I am in in my third term. I love to golf and coach little league.
My son Winston is neurodivergent and benefits from a high functioning case of Austim Spectrum Disorder. He blows me away every day at how much he can accomplish and progress.
I have met with the Special Olympics advocacy team and coaches like Natalie Green. Our son Winnie has participated in a few activities and we need to get him more involved. He recently joined a swim team and we didn’t even notice how badly he wanted to be on an actual team – after watching his older brothers, he said to us, “Mom, I’m finally on a team of my own, just like the brothers.” It both broke our hearts and melted them.
I coach the offensive of my oldest son’s football team. Ute Conference league.
As we’ve seen in our son with special needs, it is crucial for their progression to participate in activities such as sports, art camps, church, and all the school activities. It’s also very important for kids with special needs to integrate with typically developing kids as well.
Favorite Quote: “Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of traveling“
Paige Monaghan
Forward, Utah Royals FC Women’s Professional Soccer Team
My name is Paige Monaghan. I am originally from New Jersey but living out in Utah playing professional soccer for the Utah Royals. I am the captain of the team and it is one of my biggest honors. I am engaged to the love of my life, have the best family and friends who I love so much!
Growing up my mom worked in a classroom at my school with students with disabilities. I learned first hand the importance of valuing every human exactly how they are. She taught me how to love, care and learn about everyone equally.
I started working with TOP Soccer in college at Butler University. We would have a training session at Butler every Sunday for people of all ages with mental and physical disabilities. When I came to Utah, I was looking for ways to integrate into the community. In collaboration with Special Olympics and the Utah Royals, we created the first all girls 5v5 Utah Royals Special Olympics unified team. We train weekly and have one game a year at America First Field in Sandy, Utah before or after an Utah Royals game!
Involved in Unified Sports? Yes I am. As I mentioned, I have the privilege of working with the Utah Royals Special Olympics unified team. The team trains on Sundays which I go and assist whenever we are not on the road! We have our annual game coming up and I can’t wait to see the girls compete!
Favorite Quote: Like my mom taught me, inclusion means loving everyone and treating everyone equally. Everyone’s voice matters and it’s important to help amplify those voices for all.
Katie Hut
BFF, Special Education Teacher, Special Olympics Partner
I love the arts! Music, art, theatre, dance, and everything in between. My passion is increasing access to the arts for people with disabilities. My fun fact about myself is that I have an extra knuckle.
I am a Special Education teacher for college-aged students with disabilities at Elizabeth Academy, partnered with Tanner Dance and the U of U campus. Also my cousin (who’s basically one of my surrogate little brothers) has Down Syndrome!
I have volunteered for Special Olympics since I was twelve years old. I attended Special Olympics USA games in 2017 with my best friend Natalie Green, then we got to represent the U.S. as Youth Leaders at World Games together in Abu Dhabi in 2019! I have also been an intern for Special Olympics Utah and I volunteer regularly with our local division, the Salt Lake Stars.
I have been involved with Unified Sports for a very long time. I got started with Unified Bowling when I was 12 as a unified partner. Now at age 24 I volunteer with the Salt Lake Stars dance team.
The meaning of inclusion to me is always growing and changing, and that’s the beauty of it. Right now, inclusion for me means connecting with others in a world that can be extremely difficult for everyone (of all abilities!) to navigate. Finding community with people with and without disabilities makes life brighter for everyone, and that is why it is so important for people with disabilities to be seen, loved and heard.
Favorite Quote: My mantra is “paciencia y fe” (patience and faith) or “you’re doing better than you think you are”.
Amanda Mair
Special Education Teacher, Jordan School District
I am a Special Education teacher. Prior to entering my teaching program/college, I wasn’t very aware of special education in the school setting, I just knew about disabilities in general. Since I was late to the game, it’s become a bit of a passion for me to make sure that as many people as possible know about special education and how to help others.
I have friends and students who have been classified as having an intellectual disability. I also seem to be someone who is magnetized to people with IDD; I tend to spot people in public, and they tend to spot me. I find myself being invited to participate in community programs to help those who have an intellectual disability. I love helping others, not just in a school setting, and I seem to find ways of making it happen!
I am involved with Unified Sports, sponsored by Special Olympics. I have not participated in any Special Olympics events other than that.
I am involved in Unified Sports! I was late to the game for many reasons, and my school’s introduction was with basketball. It was amazing to be involved and take kids to this event where the students could shine! It was their thing, they were being cheered on, it was all about THEM! I absolutely loved it! From there we were able to join in on bocce ball, our Unified Golf event, and then soccer the following year. It can be a lot of work to get everything together, but it is so worth it. I am excited to get more students involved in Unified Sports, and am looking forward to involving more unified partners this year.
Inclusion means that students are interacting with one another, regardless of ability level. It’s inviting, accepting, helping, smiling, and genuine friendship. It’s knowing names of the students, things they like and don’t like, sitting with kids at lunch, and talking to them in the halls. It’s teachers seeing people, not disabilities and labels. I absolutely think that it is important for those with disabilities to share their voice. Last year in my Language Arts class we read “Out of My Mind“, which is about a girl named Melody who is unable to walk, talk, or take care of any of her own needs. However, she has a brilliant mind, but no one knows it because all they see when they see her is their disability. She talks about being in the special class and how the other students treat the kids from the special class. My heart was broken to hear my own students say that they have been treated like trash because of their disabilities. Worst of all, one student said that he feels like he is invisible because of
Favorite Quote: I really like the quote “In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.” (Jennifer Dukes Lee, and others. There are many people attributed to this quote). Kindness is so rare these days, and where we literally can choose who we want to be, what we want to be, where we want to be…in the end, all that really matters is if we were kind.
About the Author
Natalie Green was born with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and IDD. She is a leader and advocate on disability who serves as an athlete ambassador for Special Olympics Utah. Natalie is co-host of Dad n’ Nat Podcast at dadnnat.com where she talks about disability and the meaning of inclusion. She is a speaker on the importance of inclusion, plays soccer with Utah Royals FC Unified. Natalie works as a Special Education Aide for Jordan School District, and weekends as a barista at Lucky Ones Coffee.
This article is produced as part of the Special Olympics North America (SONA) Storytelling project.
