My name is Maggie McNellis and I am a 17 year old high school student. I play travel softball, unified soccer and unified dance. I've volunteering for Special Olympics since I was a kid. I got involved because my brother, Quinn, has down syndrome. I've grown to love working with those with disabilities. It's my passion and hope to become a special education teacher in the future to come. My goal is make a change even if it's the smallest of sizes. I've created a spirt week, awareness games, respect assembly at both H-F and James Hart middle school. I have also been able to create a unified gym at James Hart.
I believe it is important to have someone that inspires you. I know i have a lot of people that inspire me in different ways. One way is by showing how to be inclusive with everyone. I know my hero/inspiration is a teacher at my school I work very close with. His name is Brain McLaughlin. He teaches in the special education department. He loves working with me and a few other leaders and athletes in coming up with new ideas on how we can find ways to get everyone at my school involved. He takes pride and joy in forming new friendships between people who you never have thought could be friends. He enjoys getting new people involved in special Olympics and our unified program. He makes me want to become a better person and strive for greatness.
I think every time a TV show or movie has a character who has a disability is amazing. I wish it was more common then not. The network ABC has done a incredible job recently with TV shows that include someone with a disability. For example the TV show Speechless which is about a family of a special-needs teen is good at dealing with the challenges he faces - and excellent at creating new ones. The character has cerebral palsy which is a very underrated topic when it comes to TV discussion. Although I believe that the network NBC could use some work. It is not common at all to see a TV show or a movie on that network dealing with someone who has a disability
It is finally the month of respect!!! Every year my school has the annual sign the banner during our schools lunch hours. This year we hand out stickers, pens, lanyards, and wrist bands. Our school also goes to Lincoln way central high school to participate in special games. which is a bunch of mini games around the school. Something new our school did is that a select few of us will be speaking to the middle schools in the area about respect which i can not wait for. I love this time of year and how everyone is so accepting.
Being healthy is super important, especially when you go to school with over 2,000 students. It's very easy to catch something at school or in your community. Just this past winter a cold was going around our school and I know I caught it as well as my partner Donzel. Not only just the flu that went around but earlier in the year the stomach flu went around. A lot of people in the community and in school had caught it. It's super important to remember to always wash your hands before and after every meal, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze, and STAY HOME if you are sick!!
Family is the most important thing to everyone. My family is the reason I do what I do. My brother has Down syndrome and has been doing special olympics his whole life. Therefore I have been doing for so many years. It brought me closer to my brother and helped me find my love and passion in my life. He is the reason I work so hard to make a difference in the world.
It's finally summer! Everyone is out of school and enjoying the great weather. But that doesn't mean you can't still be inclusive. Many people are working, or at summer camp. I always think the best way to be inclusive is by doing some fun activities. The best way i believe is by doing a fun sport. It's easy to make friends and to cheer people on during a sport and game of some sort. Of course not everyone is good at sports but that doesn't mean it can't be fun. As long as you are with some people who are willing to have fun then there isn't a problem.
July is the month of new music. Music is a big part of people's lives whether they know it or not. My favorite song right now would have to be either be If I Can't Have You by Shawn Mendes or Gone 2 Long by the band pretty much. Being an artist gives you a power that a lot of people don't necessarily have. For example I believe ways an artist can be more inclusive is by talking about being more involved in their community and telling their fans that giving back is good and can do a lot. Just being vocal about what they believe in is a huge step for being inclusive.
I believe that the way Eunice Kennedy Shriver included every single person no matter what race, religion, gender, etc.... impacted everything that stands today. Unified sports are always inclusive to everyone. Not to mention in the classroom too. Everyone can feel like what they think matters or any question isn't stupid or dumb.
This school year I have started college. I am attending Eastern Illinois University to study special education. I absolutely love it. I have made so many new friends and have been more social then I've been in my 18 years of life. I have already signed up for sign language club, best buddies, and volunteering for Special Olympics events. Eastern is very inclusive with their clubs which is why I'm so excited to start and begin working. I cannot wait to see what more this year brings me.
Growing up I played a lot of different sports, from volleyball to basketball to softball to even soccer. My all time favorite sport playing was softball. My dad was my coach until I got into high school. I was always been super hard on myself because I know I can always do better. My best memory in softball would have to be when I pitched a no hitter and followed it with a homerun and two triples. I have never been so proud of myself in a sport before and hearing everyone cheer for me and my team was a feeling I loved. At the time I had a coach who I've known my entire softball career. His name was coach Roberts. He taught me the game of softball and helped me push the rough patches of any game. Other than my dad he was the loudest person cheering for me. He told me he is always proud of me but that game he saw me glow in happiness and confidence which I never really did before. For that reason he is one of the biggest influences in my life.
Technology is very important to almost everyone now. Some technology is becoming more and more inclusive for those who need accommodations. For example my brother Quinn uses an iPad to communicate. It has words and phrases along with pictures to help him talk to others at school or out in public. I also know that come computers have brail available. I think it is super important that anyone can use technology because of how relevant it is to our generation.
Some advice to give Class 2 would be always speak up. When I first started out I was very shy and didn't really know how to talk in front of large groups about my ideas or how I view something. Now I can confidently talk in front people and enjoy it. Also you are not alone. So many people have your back and will be right next to you. No matter how silly your idea might seem I can guarantee you someone will love it and ask you more about it. Remember to have fun that is the most important part. You meet so many amazing people and make friends that will last you a life time.
My inclusion hero for the new year would have to be my best friend. Her name is Cori Hoekstra, she has been by my side for the past 3 years. Her and I do everything special Olympics and unified together. Quinn calls her his sister. She always finds a way to included Quinn in whatever we are doing and that's rare. She taught me on how to become a better friend and think outside the box when times get tough. I could never ask for a better best friend who has become family to me and my brother. She puts her heart and soul into helping people when they need it. That is she is my hero.
Art is a beautiful thing. We see It everyday whether we notice it or not. The music we listen to in the car is art or the museums we go to, are filled with art from the past and present. Art can be used to promote inclusion, it's not often we see or hear about individuals with disabilities creating art. In my town we have a business that has people with disabilities come in and create art pieces and then can sell them in the store. Sometimes the store even buys their art to hang in their place. The art they create is beyond beautiful. I believe that whatever art artist make they sure promote inclusion and use their status to voice inclusion.
March is all about Spread the word to end the word. I always try and educate people who use the R-word why it is wrong and degrading. A time I remember clearly is last year which was my senior year; I heard these group of boys calling each other the R-word. I had asked them if they knew the background of the word which they did not. I explained to them that it degrades people who have a disability and that it is not right. Of course they said aren't calling people with disabilities the r-word so why is a big deal? To which i proceed to tell them how that doesn't matter, it still a horrible word to use and they never know who can be around to hear their conversation. I feel that it beyond important to teach others around that in order to be inclusive they cannot use that word.
April is usually about warm weather, and spring sports are back in play, but with everything at stop in the world its hard to stay fit and get in some exercise. Some ways i stay active is by going out into my backyard with my brothers and playing some soccer, basketball, or catch. As for indoor activities its always good to do some yoga. My fitness goal is to strengthen muscle in my arms and legs. It is always important to have fitnesses goals to keep you motivated and moving.
Inclusion is already so important within your family, friends, and schools. Some don't realize that outside of all those things inclusion is still just as important. Some ways I stay included is helping with my brother Quinn's baseball league. It's for kids with disabilities and their families to come watch them hang out and play and learn the game. I got some of my friends to come with me and they became really good friends with some of the kids. It is the best part of my summer. Also last year when I played softball we did a practice for anyone who wanted to learn how to play. Didn't matter if they had a disability or not and we made sure everyone was able to play didn't matter if they were in a wheelchair or had a walker we made it so they could do everything too. Small things like that are what brings communities together and show people that being inclusive is so easy and honesty the best thing in the world.
I love summer so much, it might be my favorite season of the year. I'm doing some travelling this summer safely of course, I'm going to Seattle, Washington to visit family which i'm so excited for. One thing I plan on trying on my vacation is going tubing on a lake. Thankfully because of being apart of Special Olympics I'm not too nervous to try it. I have grown a lot of confidence in trying to things since being involved in SO. I cannot wait for all the fun things this summer.
People with intellectual disabilities have been fighting for their rights for so many years. I think one way they have fought for their rights is being open and wanting to teach people about their disability but also how it does not define them as a person. I personally see it important to be willingly to educate people on what some might see has different when in reality it just something that makes them more unique. People with intellectual disabilities still have to fight for their rights but now the world is becoming more inclusive and loving for people who are different.
Credits:
Created with an image by Jed Villejo - "Running through the Trees"