Help Us Go For Gold at the 

2018 Special Olympics USA Games! 

Hello Everyone! 

I've been selected to represent Special Olympics New York in Seattle Washington for the 2018 USA Games in Seattle on July 1 - 6, 2018.

The money we raise will help underwrite my travel expenses such as airfare and uniforms.

Since childhood, I have met plenty of women named Courtney. However, I have not come across all that many men named Courtney. It used to bug me, when people looked at my name and assumed that I was a female, but I have long since learned to joke about it. Fo rme, elementary school was a mixed experience. On one hand, I was teased about various oddities in my personality. However, I will never forget the teacher that helped me begin to forge the love of academics that has served me well in my life. In the process, I have discovered the joy of reading. When I relax, I especially enjoy reading history, classic literature, fantasy, and science fiction. However, I am willing to attempt just about any author or genre.

I joined the Cub Scouts of America and has some fond memories of various functions, especially Scouting for Food during the holidays. I joined the Boy Scouts with a resolve to make Eagle Scout. However, I came to discover a love for history which was first lit at various battlefields like Antietam, Saratoga, and Gettysburg. Ironically, the great hurdle to Eagle Scout was a swimming merit badge. It took several years to find a way to complete that badge. I was also able to attend one of the National Jamborees, although the support of scouts and scouters was instrumental in him enjoying the experience.

I also have fond memories of being a student at a local community college. My favorite course was physics, although it was it his lowest grade. When I later made it into Phi Theta Kappa with a 3.96 GPA, I knew that it was because I had worked so hard for that one A- in Physics, which is my proudest grade of all.

One day, I inquired about volunteering with the local Special Olympics Swim team. The coach thought that I could help out with the non-swimmers. However, when that position fell away in the following off season, I received an offer to join the swimmers. I jumped at the opportunity, and within the first year, I had dropped some noticeable weight and my level of fitness improved. I would soon add the Special Olympics sport of Golf to my life. I love how every course is different and how each shot sets up the next until you hopefully make it into the hole. I also grew attached to playing softball with the local Special Olympics Team.

I also offered to volunteer with the local public library. However, after a couple of years, I decided that I needed a job. My performance as a volunteer helped me get a position shelving books and other forms of media. I have since climbed the ranks to a part time clerk.

Make no mistake, I have some deficits, though I have spent my life working to overcome them the best I can. It has been a privilege to work and develop with the guidance of numerous individuals from the various organizations that I have been active with. I have come a long way to get to this point. To me, these games are a new challenge. I look forward to the chance to demonstrate that my assortment of life experiences has prepared me for the barrage of stimuli and adversity that I can’t yet imagine to be involved

I’ve never been to Seattle and it has been many years since I’ve flown. Looking forward to seeing other sports and taking in the games as time allows.