This will be the 2nd year our daughter Josie will be participating in the Special Olympics. She is very excited to make the trip up to Traverse City for the Winter Games in a few weeks to spend some time with her friends!

Josie is 15 years old and a freshman at Chelsea High School. She has autism and struggles with a condition called speech apraxia.  She will be trying out the snowshoeing events, and will also help as a manager for the team.

The reason why the Special Olympics are so important to our family, Josie, and a bunch of our friends is the inclusivity and love that happens at these events.  Watching the reactions and joy coming from all of these young athletes is like nothing you've experienced, so enlightening and motivating!

As she is getting older, Josie is learning very valuable lessons about how to treat people, how to do common things around the house, how to deal properly with sensory overload, how to be competitive, and how to fit in and be included.

She has an older brother, Zac, and 3 cats who she spoils immensely. She loves listening to "Dad Rock" music, (a phrase I just learned last year, lol), dancing, singing at full volume, painting, ice cream trips, swimming, playing games, Seinfeld/The Office, and having play dates with her friends. She wants to work at McDonald when she grows up!

We are looking forward to her continued progress.  The Polar Plunge funds that my team and I raise will go towards supporting the special Olympics- If anyone wants to join my team, and ntake the plunge with me, let me know!

Our individual team members have combined forces to create an awesome fundraising team. Together we will raise more money for Special Olympics Michigan than we ever could alone!

Want to help?

Support by making a donation to our team. The process is fast, easy, and secure... and you can be sure that it will benefit a great cause!

Want to join? 

Come be a part of the squad!  Plungers may join us in-person or virtually this year - all funds raised by each plunger will also count toward our TEAM TOTAL!