SOMO News

Connie Dewey and her daughter, Leanna Krogmann, at the 2011 World Games in Athens, Greece. Leanna competed in aquatics.

Special Olympics is incredibly important to our family.  Our daughter, Leanna Krogmann, has been involved since 2004 and truly enjoys all of the sports and social activities she is involved with.  She participated in National Games in 2006 and again in 2010, and then was selected to be on Team USA for the World Games in Athens, Greece in 2011.  She was also chosen to go to Washington, D.C. to request congressional support for Special Olympics.  We have attended all of these events with her and enjoyed watching her develop leadership qualities.  These experiences have enriched her life and ours beyond measure!

The most important benefits we receive as a family are the relationships we have been able to build with other families who have similar situations and obstacles to overcome.  We appreciate the strong social support we have received from these families and particularly the volunteers and employees of Special Olympics.  Without these relationships, Leanna’s social and emotional well-being would be diminished. 

Special Olympics sports and activities have provided Leanna with an avenue for her to make friends, be physically active, and develop into a well-rounded young woman.  She has gained knowledge about her health, herself, and has grown in confidence.  This confidence has supported her in social interactions in a variety of setting, such as church, and in the work place.  The amount of growth we have seen since her initial involvement in Special Olympics is remarkable. 

I would like to personally thank everyone who supports Special Olympics and truly want them to know the difference this organization has made in our lives.  We are truly blessed!

Connie & Dennis Dewey (parents)
Emily (sister) & Mark Hoger