While athletes in the Northwestern University Special Olympics program can be seen playing sports around Evanston, they can also be found in the Life Skills classes held at Norris University Center every Wednesday.
NU’s Special Olympics offers opportunities to youth and adults with developmental disabilities to participate in athletics and educational programming.
Life Skills is currently the only Special Olympics program that takes place on the NU campus, Weinberg senior and NU Special Olympics President Tahia Alexio said.
The class helps participants with budgeting, preparing for severe weather and maintaining healthy eating habits.
Special Olympics athlete Luba Kotlyar said one favorite memory from the class was painting a cup in the Norris basement.
“It’s actually in my new apartment,” Kotlyar said.
Founded in 1976, NU’s chapter is the oldest and largest collegiate chapter within the greater Special Olympics organization.
Evanston also has a Special Olympics program which students from NU Special Olympics participate in.
According to Jourdan O’Connor, Evanston’s accessible recreation program coordinator, the city appoints coaches to different sports, and NU students work alongside them for extra support. O’Connor said a majority of Special Olympics volunteers are NU students.
Alexio said she’s learned from watching the friendly competition among athletes when they play different sports. Outside the program, she added she’s been invited to gatherings with athletes.
“They know my family, they know where I’m from, they know my future plans,” Alexio said.
Christine Miksis, the mother of Life Skills participant John Miksis, said many of the athletes stick around after meetings to socialize.
She said most of the Special Olympics athletes have known each other for years, with some attending New Trier Township High School together.
“They’re a very tight group,” Miksis said.
Special Olympics athlete David Graver has attended Life Skills courses since the program began.
Graver said the Life Skills group goes bowling together on Saturdays. Some members also participate in a Tuesday night social group in Glencoe, Illinois, Graver said.
“It gives us a sense of what it’s like for those of us that didn’t go to college,” Graver said.
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— Evanston athletes compete at Special Olympics USA Games, Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games
