WINTER GAMES
New York

By Jed Plumley and Lily Nevins-Perle

Patty VanSavage has been participating in Special Olympics for 43 years. She will be competing with her team, Great Tigers, in Snowshoeing at the New York State Winter Games.

By Traci Westcott and Ellen O'Neill

"Normal. Normal is really hard work," Heather Cappadonia says about her life raising 2 teenage boys, one of whom has Lennox Gaustaut syndrome. The severity of her son, Nicky's epilepsy, made it difficult for her boys to bond with each other- until Nicky's school called with an opportunity for them to do something together.

By Boris Shirman and Kendra Murphy

Special Olympics figure skater Cori Piels developed her independence with the help of her sister Leah and her mother Karalee. Cori has been able to finish college and is now living independently. Working with the Special Olympics, Cori is an advocate for people with intellectual disabilities, speaking out and promoting the message that everyone can use a helping hand from time to time.

By Temoc Paz and Coburn Swem

Hockey player Michael Worboys, 48, has competed in the Special Olympics for 20 years. He has gone from playing while in high school to joining the Lifetime Assistance team, where he is goalie. Michaels works for Wegmans as a helping hand and, though he used to live in a group home, now lives independently in a supportive living apartment.

By Mustafa Hussain and Patricia Korte

Hannah Brown, who has competed in numerous Summer Games sports, is for the first time competing in Alpine Skiing at the Winter Games. She is coached by Martha Pachuta, who has helped Hannah become a leader in her sports and with her peers.