“My advice would be you’re never too young to start, never too old to start,” parent Ronald DeMarino told WXXI reporter Stephanie Ballard Foster. “It is a wonderful experience. You gain friendships. You gain self-esteem and confidence, and it is something that I think you could do throughout your lifetime.” DeMarino’s son has participated in Special Olympics for 20 years.

Special Olympics New York serves more than 45,000 athletes across the state, making it one of the largest state organizations in the country. They offer year-round training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.