DePaul University Athletics
Special Olympian Lights Up Wintrust Blankets Chicago
9/5/2017 12:00:00 AM | ATHLETICS
CHICAGO ââ'¬" As Blue Demons from every sport gathered Tuesday in McGrath-Phillips Arena for the Wintrust Blankets Chicago service initiative, they were greeted by a very special guest.
Special Olympian and global ambassador Lauren Miller lit up the arena with her passion and enthusiasm extolling the virtues of Special Olympics and the profound affect it has on her life.
DePaul student-athletes have been invited to become involved in various activities and events leading up to the Special Olympics 50th Anniversary celebration taking place next July.
In addition to making blankets for the children of the St. Vincent de Paul Center, the Blue Demons can expand their community service through volunteering with Special Olympics.
Addressing the 2017 Orientation crowd, the 19-year-old Miller showed off her fingernails done up just right in DePaul's school colors. She talked about winning a gold medal in figure skating at her first competition, the Illinois Winter Games. She has a Facebook page and a YouTube channel focusing on fitness and nutrition.
"I started skating when I was five years old," said Miller who also competes in swimming and track and field. "My brother played on a hockey team in Evanston and the coach used to pick me up and skate around with me. I fell in love with skating. When I skate, I feel free and I am proud of myself.
"I feel a sense of pride to represent so many other Special Olympians as a global ambassador. I feel really committed about what I am doing. I could never see Special Olympics not being a part of my life, and it has inspired me to help others.
"The most important thing of all is to help everyone else speak up and break down the stereotypes of people with disabilities. This is so important to me. It makes me feel like I am capable. I know I will do everything I can to get what I want."
Her spirit and determination resonated with men's tennis player Boris Spanjaard.
"Lauren gave an amazing speech," Spanjaard said. "It was very impressive. Seeing what she has accomplished inspired me.
"Our tennis team volunteered at a basketball clinic last January, helping pass out basketballs and keeping score. Seeing all those kids with big smiles on their faces competing with each other made me very happy that day. I hope our team will do more events like that. It's not much to ask, and we can do a lot more."
Jean Ortega-Piron of the Special Olympics Board of Directors asked DePaul's student-athletes for their help in this special upcoming year. A week-long series of events next summer will culminate on July 22 with Inclusion Fest at Soldier Field that will feature sports clinics, sports celebrities and current Special Olympians along with athletes from the inaugural 1968 Special Olympics in Chicago telling their stories and looking ahead to the next 50 years of this worldwide movement.
An international Unified Football Cup will bring teams composed of athletes and Special Olympians from all over the world to a competition where the soccer players and Special Olympians will play side-by-side.
"Special Olympics has helped me build a foundation and become a successful person," Miller said. "I won't let anyone tell me that I can't do something. I am doing something that I truly love.
"My message to DePaul's student-athletes is that becoming involved means a whole lot to me and everyone else---all the other Special Olympic athletes, the volunteers and the charities that work with us. I'd like to tell them that it will become a really big part of their lives. It will be one of the most rewarding things they have ever done.
"I want to thank all the DePaul athletes and coaches for their support of Special Olympics. It makes all the difference in the world."
Just as the Wintrust blankets will make a world of difference in the lives of the children at St. Vincent de Paul Center.
"I feel very honored to make these blankets," Spanjaard said. "I know the children will really enjoy them and appreciate them. It's nothing for us---we can do this. It's like a gift for them.
"I am really proud DePaul does these special things. It's means way more to me than sports and classes. Even more important than being a better athlete and a better student---this makes you a better person, and that's very special."
