If you were among the millions of holiday shoppers this year, you may have seen Hanna Joy Atkinson's photo on display at your local shopping center.

Atkinson, 24, graced the fronts of approximately 900 Finish Line storesand counters as part of a national campaign supporting Special Olympics. Meet her and you will understand why.

A HEALTHY OUTLOOK: (Opposite page) Athletes such as Hanna Joy Atkinson are leading the Special Olympics movement by educating local communities about the importance of #inclusivehealth. Photo credit: Finish Line; (Above left) As a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger, Hanna Joy Atkinson invites everyone to join Special Olympics: "Please join us in the Inclusion Revolution because it's amazing over here!" Photo credit: Finish Line; Nyasha Derera and Renee Manfredi serve as masters of ceremony at the Special Olympics Global Inclusive Health Forum to spread the word about inclusive health for people with ID.

BY STEPHANIE CORKETT

"'Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' That's the Special Olympics motto, and I live that every day of my life because who doesn't want to be included and accepted no matter what playing field you might be on?" asks Atkinson, speaking from outside the meeting of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®, made possible by the Golisano Foundation, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games.

Atkinson, a native of Colorado, extends her message of inclusivity every opportunity she has, which is a primary reason she was recently selected as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger (IGM) for Special Olympics. Of the more than five million Special Olympics athletes worldwide, Atkinson is one of just 10 with this esteemed title and job. IGMs are Special Olympics athletes appointed as spokespersons to spread the message and vision of the movement, representing not only the organization as a whole, but their individual countries as well. As leaders  and message-bearers of the movement, IGMs communicate the powerful declarations of hope, acceptance, dignity and courage of Special Olympics athletes around the world.

If you were among the throng at the World Games in March, you would have seen Atkinson and her IGM colleagues who are also leading activations, raising awareness and influencing community members and key decision makers. You might have met Brina Kei Maxino of the Philippines who was on stage at the Young Athletes kickoff event alongside Mark Shriver. She also joined the Special Olympics Global Inclusive Health Forum with 100 high level global health leaders and influencers and committed to making a difference in the significant challenges that individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) face accessing quality health services (visit specialolympics.org to learn more). At this same event, you would have witnessed fellow IGMs Nyasha Derera from Zimbabwe and Renee Manfredi from Hawaii serve as masters of ceremony. And, if you were fortunate enough to visit Healthy Athletes, you might have had Derera or Atkinson leading your tour group. Each IGM has a unique story and strong skill set. Take Atkinson for example. "I'm a girl who wants to model health and wellness and inspire others to apply healthy habits because you never know what a girl can do when she gains the strength and confidence to push through her challenges," shares Atkinson. Her buoyant personality, personal story as a cancer survivor, and passion for fitness and helping others achieve their goals are com pelling as she sets and accomplishes her goals. These range from serving as a local Fitness Captain to train other Special Olympics athletes; to scaling a 14,000 mountain to honor her brother's memory; to reporting for ABC Denver 7 News, where she earned a regional Emmy for her piece titled "More Alike Than Different." Atkinson also has participated twice in Capitol Hill Day in Washington, D.C.; represented Special Olympics at the Laureus Sport for Good conference in Paris, France; reported at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado; and just returned from serving as a spokesperson during the 2019 Special Olympics World Games.

INCLUSION REVOLUTION (Above left) Brina Kei Maxino, second from left, kicks off the Young Athletes program at World Games where she highlights why health is important to inclusion at a young age; (Above left) Brina makes a commitment to train other athletes alongside 100 high-level leaders in global health. She shared, "I, personally, commit to training 20 new athletes as Health Messengers so that they can work with community health workers to reach and help more individuals with intellectual disabilities."

Health is essential to being the best one can be, both on and off the playing field, and Special more than 170 additional Special Olympics athletes trained as Health Messengers to further extend this message and educate communities. PEOPLE WITH ID ARE OFTEN DENIED HEALTH SERVICES AND DIE ON AVERAGE 16 YEARS SOONER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. Olympics athletes are leading the way in educating their communities. #Inclusivehealth is a central message for many within the Special Olympics movement, such as Atkinson and her IGM colleagues. The urgency of their message is clear. Despite severe need and higher health risks, people with ID are often denied health services and die on average 16 years sooner than the general population.

In addition to the IGMs, there are now more than 170 additional Special Olympics athletes trained as Health Messengers to further extend this message and educate communities.

"We are all very proud of this team in successfully training for life. Health Messengers are an inspiration," shares Special Olympics, Inc. Healthy Athletes coordinator Renee Dease, who has worked with hundreds of athlete leaders during her 35 years working with the movement. "They teach us all about inclusion and acceptance."

Special Olympics, the IGMs, Health Messengers and more than five million athletes are leading the charge for full inclusion of people with ID. The movement is rooted in the spirit of Special Olympics' founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who took a rebellious stand against the injustices faced by people with ID in 1968. Today, the fight for inclusion is more relevant than ever. People of all ages, races, genders, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities continue to face discrimination, ignorance, and disparagement. Just as Eunice Kennedy Shriver did 50 years ago, Special Olympics is setting a stake in the ground to create change. Athletes are utilizing their skills in their prospective home programs in addressing fellow athletes, the media, sponsors, coaches, family members and everyone involved in the life of these athletes.

Contact your local Special Olympics Program if you, your school or business is interested in learning from a trained athlete leader on areas such as health, inclusion and/or acceptance. Like Atkinson says, "Choose to include because it's always a good thing to do so. Please join us in the Inclusion Revolution because it's amazing over here!" •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stephanie Corkett is External Health Communications manager with Special Olympics, based in Washington, DC.