IN MARCH, OVER 2,700 ATHLETES FROM 107 COUNTRIES WILL COMPETE FOR GOLD AT THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES IN AUSTRIA.
CHRIS O’NEIL WILL BE ONE OF THEM.
SUPER: Meghan O’Neil, Chris’ Sister
Meghan O’Neil: Sometimes when I’m struggling I look at what Chris has to go through. He is so motivated and determined to be more than somebody with a disability.
SUPER: Andrea O’Neil, Chris’ Mom
Andrea O’Neil: Chris has Mosaic Trisomy 8 Syndrome so it just takes Chris a little bit longer sometimes to process information, but he usually moves right along. There were times when he was growing up it was a struggle. People would give him a hard time, but he’s coming into his own.
SUPER: Chris O’Neil, Special Olympics USA Athlete
Chris O’Neil: Special Olympics is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Meeting people and just the competition part – I enjoy the most.
Andrea O’Neil: Look at you. This is you getting the medal on the podium. I think it’s a gold.
Chris O’Neil: Yeah. I will never forget that.
Andrea O’Neil: I see a lot coming out recently. Part of it’s Special Olympics. Part of it’s working at the hospital I think as well. He works at Lowell General. He’s been there about 4 years. He works five days a week. People are very welcoming.
Chris O’Neil: Hey Lisa.
Nurse: How’s your day going?
Chris O’Neil: So far, so good.
Meghan O’Neil: I think he’s just got a lot of determination to be the best he can be and it obviously shows how much progress he’s made, especially in skiing.
Andrea O’Neil: He loves to ski. When they were younger we’d all go skiing together.
Meghan O’Neil: At one point in time I’m pretty sure I was faster than him, but at this point in time there’s no way I could catch up to him. He’s definitely learned a lot from his coaches.
Bob Russel (coach): Lean forward. You got to bend.
Chris O’Neil: When my coaches say, “You could do a little better, I know you can.” And I say, “You know what? I know I could too.”
Bob Russell: Put your skis on the edge like this. Ok?
Chris O’Neil: Maybe I didn’t tuck as good or I didn’t bend as far down. So I got to do those two things to get a faster time.
SUPER: Bob Russell, Coach, Nashoba Shooting Stars
Bob Russell: He’s out there working hard and he comes with a great attitude. There couldn’t be a better person to go to Austria than him.
SUPER: Riley O’Keefe, Chris’ Best Friend
Riley O’Keefe: When I found out Chris was going to compete in Austria for the Winter Games, I sobbed I was so happy for him.
Riley O’Keefe: He sends me a video that his mother had taken and I got goosebumps.
Andrea O’Neil: He didn’t know. So he was sitting on the couch. There was a promo for the World Games.
Chris O’Neil: My sister gave me the card that told me that I’d been picked.
Off-screen voice: You’re on the United States Olympic team.
Chris O’Neil: Oh my gosh.
Meghan O’Neil: You did it. You made it all the way here, Chris!
Chris O’Neil: Probably one of the best things that ever happened to me.
Andrea O’Neil: We’re all going now. All of his family members are going…his siblings...we’re all going to be there to cheer him on.
Chris O’Neil: To me, about going there – it’s more of a once in a lifetime experience. It just feels like I know I can do it and it’s something I really enjoy. It makes me feel free.
Andrea O’Neil: I’m so proud of him. I’m just very proud…happy for him.
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Bank of America | Special Olympics
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© 2017 Bank of America Corporation.
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