By Ashley Carney
As April celebrates National Autism Awareness month, Special Olympics Southern California is reminded of the impact it has had on people with intellectual disabilities, and how it has allowed athletes to live their best lives.
Meet Angela Zhu, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles, who has autism. Angela is one of the 70 athletes from SOSC traveling to compete in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. This summer she will be competing in basketball, and she can’t wait to show everyone how Special Olympics has changed her life.
“It helps me feel more confident about myself,” she said. “It’s to help you become better at being what you are and it helps you overcome your intellectual disability.”
This confidence makes her want to encourage people with intellectual disabilities to join Special Olympics so that they can enjoy the same lifestyle that she does.
Angela’s favorite thing about Special Olympics is having fun and getting to meet new people.
On the court, she is most proud of how well she has improved, and looks up to her coach for always encouraging her and her team to practice and do their best.
Get to know more about Angela:
Angela will play with the Pomona Valley basketball team at this year’s USA Games. For more information on SOSC’s delegation going to the Games in July, visit our USA Games Page.