Born with Down Syndrome, Megan Tang first joined Special Olympics Singapore as a Young Athlete in 2010. Young Athletes are an early childhood play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7 years old. Over the years, Megan discovered her passion for dance, embracing movement with boundless energy and enthusiasm. When Special Olympics Singapore kickstarted its Latin Dancesport outreach, she found her rhythm and purpose.

Dance became her happy place, and as Megan, has previously put it, “I feel happy, relaxed, and calm when I dance.” Since then, her lively performances and infectious smile have lit up countless stages and events.

As More recently, the nineteen-year-old showcased her talent on the world stage at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy earlier this year. In the presence of an audience consisting of thousands, she confidently recited the Athletes’ Oath during the opening ceremony, reinforcing her growth and confidence as a young athlete leader. Her triumph in earning a silver medal in the Ballroom Traditional Mixed category further added another proud accomplishment to her sporting career.

Behind Megan’s success is a constant source of encouragement – her mother, Jasmine Lai, as well as her family. From the very beginning, Jasmine has believed in her daughter’s potential, steadfastly standing by her side through every step of her journey.

When Jasmine first received the diagnosis that her daughter had Down Syndrome, it was unexpected, but the news also came with an outpouring of love, as she recalled, “During the first trimester of our pregnancy, the doctor broke the news to us. But it was also through these scans that we saw a little hand waving at us, and we were very touched. We knew then – this is the one we must be with. She’s really a miracle of life.”

That deep love and belief have remained constant through every challenge and achievement. As Megan stood on the podium in Turin, silver medal in hand, Jasmine’s pride was immeasurable – not just because of her daughter’s win, but also because of everything it represented.

“Megan, you asked me if it’s okay that you got second place. Of course, it is. Because you’ve done your part, and we all support you. This is the best moment – one of the proudest moments of our lives.”

For Jasmine, Megan’s success has never been about rankings or medals. It has always been about her growth, confidence, and the sheer joy of doing what she loves. At every stage, Jasmine has reminded her that giving her best is what truly matters.

Dipak Natali, President & Managing Director of Special Olympics Asia Pacific echoes this sentiment. “Games like this offer us stability – stability in community, stability in understanding each other, and a reminder of what the beautiful spectrum of life should be. That’s what we stand for and celebrate here.”

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

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Bocce, a game of precision and strategy, is more than just a sport for Kar Soon, who is now 42 years old. Bocce is a passion that was first sparked off in school where he was recruited by a teacher to take part in Special Olympics Singapore’s activities. Since then, his life has been transformed.

Competitions like the World Games are now a welcome opportunity for him to challenge himself. As he puts it. “I feel happy, but when there’s a very strong opponent, I really try my best to win,” he says. Yet, the pressure does not deter him. “I tell myself not to be scared, and instead relax and enjoy the game,” he shares.

Overcoming challenges has been a part of Kar Soon’s journey. Earlier in life he had to undergo multiple surgeries on his hand and face. These operations seemingly threatened to derail his sporting dreams, especially since his grip strength was affected. Nevertheless, his fighting spirit prevailed and Kar Soon took part in multiple local competitions before competing internationally at the World Games.

For Kar Soon, inclusion is ultimately about being understanding and showing empathy. “More tolerance, more kindness, more patience,” he suggests are essential in building a more inclusive society.

Next up, Kar Soon wants to travel the world and continue to play bocce. More recently, he’s looking to further hone his leadership skills and is part of the new batch of Athlete Leaders for Special Olympics Singapore in 2024. Kar Soon’s story is one of discipline, tenacity and determination. As he puts it, “I am a dream chaser.” And indeed, he is pursuing those dreams, one roll of the bocce ball at a time.

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

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It was the then 17-year-old’s first time competing in an overseas race after all, and when he was overtaken on his third lap, anxiety spiked.

However, Irving did not entertain thoughts of defeat, and instead pressed on, sticking to his coach’s game plan, holding fast, right up till the finish line where he won gold.

Irving’s journey to competing on the world stage first kickstarted in 2015 under his teacher, Ms. Selvy’s watchful eyes.

From his first sprint, she recognised his raw talent and wasted no time in introducing him to the world of competitive sports through Special Olympics.

However, his sporting journey has had its share of ups and downs. Before the actual Games, Irving was struck with COVID-19, which left him feeling feeble post-sickness. “Training became a challenge… And returning to training after recovery was tough. I felt weak, but I pushed myself hard to regain strength and catch back up.”

Irving competed in a total of three races at the Games. Aside from the 1,500 metre race, he took part in the 800 metre race and 4×400 metre relay, clearly underscoring his grit, resilience and sheer hard work. He won the 1,500 metre race with a time of 5min 57.59sec and his strategy was to pace himself for the bulk of the race, only going all out in the last 300 metres.

Recalled Irving, “During the race, I felt a mix of nerves and confidence, but I knew I had a shot at winning. I’m feeling happy and incredibly proud to bring victory home to Singapore.” His victory was Singapore’s first gold medal during the World Games in Berlin, Germany last year, which was subsequently followed by several wins by other fellow athletes.

Beyond the podium, Irving’s sights are set on the food and beverage sector. A vocational school student, he’s dreaming of his future as a barista in a restaurant. This isn’t an afterthought, it’s a meticulously crafted path, fueled by skillsets he has honed in his training program.

He has one message for the world, to not underestimate people with intellectual disabilities. “See how we are running, see how we are competing,” he said with vigour.

Buoyed by the support of his family, friends, coach, teachers and fellow athletes, Irving’s confidence and spirit soared, demonstrating that champions aren’t born on the track, they are nurtured and developed with support, commitment and the pursuit of passions, big or small.

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

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I have seen first-hand the impact that COVID-19 has had on our athletes. Training and competitions came to a grinding halt, and many of our athletes experienced a drop in their sporting skills, fitness levels, as well as physical and mental well-being.

Thankfully, restrictions have since eased, but there’s still much that needs to be done as we rebuild. Putting our athletes first in our outreach programmes and competitions, reconnecting with volunteers who have halted their activities, recruiting new volunteers and coaches, engaging with schools and the wider special needs community, remains work that needs to be continually done.

Whenever I’m asked what the differences are between Special Olympics athletes and others, my answer remains consistent – that they are different only if we insist on seeing them differently. We utilize the same coaching techniques, ensuring all players understand our instructions and receive them in the right spirit and positive mindset, with the understanding that everyone is a valuable team member, with an equal opportunity to play.

If you’re curious about volunteering with communities that have intellectual disabilities, I fully encourage you to give it a try.

My advice would be to start off slow initially. Give yourself the time and space to experience the joys of volunteering. Get to know the athletes, build relationships, and over time start to volunteer on a more regular and committed basis.

Witnessing our athletes’ achievements & accomplishments can be truly amazing and inspiring. This was something I experienced first-hand at the recent Unified Cup in Detroit. An athlete came up to me after a match and told me that it was his very first time completing a full 60-minute football game, and it meant the world to him to have completed this athletic milestone.

As volunteers, we get to nurture, guide and mentor athletes in finding their place in society. Seeing the growth and maturity that my athletes have displayed over the years has indeed been a wonderful experience. If each and every one of us can take one small step and spend a bit of our time volunteering, our collective effort can make a genuine difference towards true inclusion in our society.

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

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Royston was the young athlete whom I had been paired with since I started my volunteering journey in 2017. Every weekend for over a year, we did simple sports activities together – throwing, catching, jumping, running – but he had never said a word to me. Royston, then 10, has autism.

I watched his progress week after week. He grew in strength and confidence, slowly but surely. I also saw how his parents realized through the program that they were not alone in this. There is an ecosystem that supports their child.

Young athletes like Royston are a constant inspiration for my students and me. I am a teacher at Saint Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School. Until 2020, I was in charge of the badminton program, as well as a member of the Values-in-Action committee where we plan activities for our students to develop and contribute meaningfully to the community. 

A friend introduced me to Special Olympics Singapore in 2017, and that was when I got my students involved as volunteers. We have been volunteering with both the badminton outreach program for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) as young as 10, as well as the Young Athletes program, a sport-and-play program for younger children with and without ID to improve their cognitive and motor skills. 

I tell my students that volunteering isn’t about ‘us’ helping or teaching ‘them’. It’s about mutual learning, respect, and making friends. They aren’t ‘beneficiaries’, they’re our buddies and athletes we learn and play with. In fact, some of my students have given me feedback that they can barely keep up with some of the athletes, who are really adept at sports. I remember there was a young athlete who was literally a mini Ronaldo, we couldn’t catch up! It’s a humbling and eye-opening experience for all of us.

Another student told me that she was inspired by Nadia, the elder sister of a young athlete named Ryan. Nadia may be a young Primary School student herself, but she shows maturity beyond her years. She’s always present to support and accompany Ryan for every session, constantly looking out for him and encouraging him. Through two years of volunteering and interacting with Nadia and Ryan, my student learnt how to be a better sibling to her own brother, who has Down Syndrome.  

The first time I took my students for the badminton outreach program, I was tentative as I had never interacted with people with ID. I was nervous that I would not know how to react to them. But my worries were totally unfounded. The athletes were friendly and welcoming and made me feel like I had known them for decades. They wanted hugs, high-fives, fist bumps, and even teased that I was handsome!  

It’s been almost five years, and they motivate my students and me all the time with their strength and resilience. They don’t ever judge, they always live in the moment, coming together for the pure and simple joy of the sport.  

Amin is a badminton athlete in his mid-30s who has been training rigorously with the hope of one day representing Singapore at the Special Olympics World Games. He never fails to turn up for training at least an hour earlier. He has a temper, and can sometimes aggravate his teammates. One time, he threw a tantrum and stormed off in the middle of training. I had to reprimand him severely, reminding him about the importance of teamwork. Since then, he has been working hard to improve his attitude as well as his badminton skills. We can all learn from his diligence and perseverance. I am confident he will one day stand proudly on the world stage, bringing honour to us all.

I was privileged to travel with the Singapore team to Abu Dhabi in 2019 for the Special Olympics World Summer Games. It opened my eyes to how sports can truly empower and create an inclusive world. 

I met an athlete from Macau who’s been in the movement for over 16 years and was a national hero, having represented his country at four world games. I spoke to a coach from Pakistan who shared how the Special Olympics movement helped athletes beyond the sports arena, to find employment and develop leadership skills. I was also inspired by a coach from Taiwan, who constantly innovates and comes up with new activities every weekend to keep her athletes engaged.  

It made me realize that there are so many people all over the world fighting for a more accepting and fair society. Here in Singapore, we too, can and must do our part for people with ID. It is my goal to create more opportunities for students from Special Education schools and mainstream schools to interact. Growing up, I did not have these opportunities. But I hope for our young people, with and without disabilities, to experience life together so that we can create a truly inclusive society with equal opportunities for all. 6c

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Hadbaa is now 7, and she has been a joy to us all. She’s a sweet, caring, helpful child who is loved and pampered by the entire family. She’s the youngest of my three children. My eldest son is 26, and my daughter is 21. 

Hadbaa’s grown up with hearing issues due to a narrow ear canal, which has affected her speech development. Till today, she can say only a few words and phrases but she expresses her affection in different ways. Just recently, she came into the kitchen while I was baking and kept repeating, “Hadbaa help.” I didn’t understand at first. Then I realized that she just wanted to give me a helping hand, to bake and clean up. It was the first time she had spoken those words. All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time, and every step brings me immense joy.

Since she was born, we knew that we would have to work a little harder to help her physical and cognitive development. That is why I have always tried my best to expose her to as many activities as possible, to build her confidence and strength. 

When she was just 1, I enrolled her at the Rainbow Centre, a school for infants, children and youth with intellectual disabilities. I also tried applying for a spot at various childcare centres but I was rejected time and again. I was told they didn’t have any teachers to care for children with special needs. But giving up was not an option for me. When she was 4, we finally secured a place at My First Skool. She was one of the oldest children there and the only child with a disability, but she had no problems fitting in. The beautiful thing with children is, there are simply no barriers.

We also learnt about the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program through the Rainbow Centre. She joined when she was 3 and hasn’t stopped since. Every week, we do simple physical activities like jumping, throwing, catching and running through obstacles with other children, both with and without intellectual disabilities, and it has helped so much in the development of her fitness, coordination, confidence, motor and social skills.   

Through the program, I have also made friends with other parents and found a support system. We share advice and resources with one another, and I know I’m not alone. 

Hadbaa used to be so shy, but these days, I don’t have to hold her hand. She confidently waves and smiles at everyone she meets, and volunteers for activities. She’s very active. Whenever we visit sports stores, she runs straight to the treadmill and doesn’t need any help on it. When she started school recently at MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), her teachers were surprised that she could run up and down the stairs quite fearlessly without any help.

She loves to dance and we have been doing Zumba together. We’ve also been doing Tabata workouts at home as a family during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her latest craze is table tennis, which we started playing as a family recently. We are hoping she can train with the Special Olympics Singapore table tennis team when she’s older, and maybe one day, represent the country.

While there are organisations like Special Olympics in Singapore that help children with special needs, we have a long way to go as a society to be more accepting and inclusive. I remember an incident when we were in an elevator with a young couple with a child. Hadbaa was only 3. The child pointed at Hadbaa and said, “Why does she look like that? What’s wrong with her?” I was shocked when the parents turned away from us quite rudely, and told the child not to look at Hadbaa. I stared at them in silence, not knowing what to say. 

Hadbaa’s siblings were indignant and furious, but I told them not to retaliate. Although it hurt terribly, I didn’t want to show how upset I was. It would affect Hadbaa. These days, we ignore all these stares and whispers. I refuse to let the judgment of others affect how we live our lives. 

To every parent with a special child, my message is do not hide them. You may encounter people who do not understand, but we mustn’t let that stop our children from exploring the world. We must let the world know our children too, and appreciate how beautiful they truly are. My hope is for Hadbaa to grow up strong, independent and confident. I want her to be able to stand on her own two feet and have the courage to pursue her dreams, no matter what others say. 

Let’s take a step towards a more inclusive world by supporting Hadbaa and thousands more children like her here. To find out more about how to be part of the #WalkForInclusion campaign, please download our summary guide here. We thank you for your generosity and look forward to your participation!

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We first discovered his condition when he was 2, after he couldn’t stop vomiting. He was unconscious when we rushed him to hospital, and needed immediate surgery. I was in shock when the doctors told me my toddler had a tumour bigger than a ping pong ball in his brain. It was 6cm wide.

He was heavily sedated during his first week in hospital. He regained consciousness only on the sixth day. But he needed a second surgery to insert a shunt to relieve the pressure in his brain. We were told to expect the worst. I was worried sick. Miraculously, he was discharged after three weeks, but he was not able to walk or talk. 

My heart aches when I think of Filmer’s childhood. Those early years were filled with either hospital visits or therapy sessions. We took him to the pool as often as we could for simple exercises to help strengthen his muscles. He only took his first steps when he was 3.

At 5, he relapsed. We rushed him to hospital after he vomited and lost consciousness. He underwent another operation, and was discharged soon after. Two months later, he displayed similar symptoms and we were told his tumour had grown. It was 11cm wide. 

He needed a fourth surgery, but we could no longer afford his treatment at a private hospital. We transferred him to a public hospital. The operation went well. I was so relieved that our prayers were heard. 

The early years took a toll on us financially. We sold the house to afford Filmer’s medical bills. I gave up my job in car sales to spend time at home with my son, and moved to a more flexible job arrangement in real estate. My husband Galvin also decided later to quit his job in electronic sales, and now drives cabs to spend more time with the family.

We enrolled Filmer in a kindergarten run by the church we attend. The teachers knew of his condition and were patient and kind to him. He could understand simple instructions. But he was later assessed to be unsuitable for mainstream education. He stayed in kindergarten until the age of 8. He then joined the Rainbow Centre, a special education school for children with intellectual disabilities.

When Filmer was 10, doctors discovered that his brain tumour had grown and he needed a fifth surgery. My heart sank but I knew I had to stay strong for my family. No tears. Together, we would weather the storm. The surgery was a success and Filmer has not relapsed since. He’s now 20. 

I’m grateful for all that we’ve been blessed with. Filmer has been doing well in school. He graduated in 2019, and was given an award for being an exemplary student. He’s picked up vocational skills through internships with supermarket chain Cold Storage and fast food restaurant Pizza Hut. Before the pandemic, he was also working part-time at a café.

A huge part of his growth has been due to sports. A classmate introduced him to Special Olympics in Singapore when he was about 14. He’s been training in bowling since, and has never missed a single week of training.

Being part of the Special Olympics family has not only improved his health and fitness, it’s also helped him become more confident and independent. His team-mates and coaches celebrate his every effort and achievement, and he’s never judged for his disability. He’s won several medals at national level games. Those moments of joy and pride are priceless. It has convinced everyone around him of what he can do.

We also discovered Filmer’s love for food, especially cakes. Whenever he scores a strike or wins a medal, he would ask for a good meal as a reward. Instead of giving him a fish, we decided to teach him to fish. My husband learnt to bake from scratch from a friend. We experimented with recipes at home, shared our cakes with friends and relatives, and taught Filmer to bake when he was 15. 

Filmer has a slight disability with his left hand, and used to struggle with tasks like cutting fruits, cracking an egg or folding the batter. We sourced suitable equipment to help him with these tasks. After years of practice, he is now a confident and competent baker. It makes me smile when I see how our little family hobby has grown into a full-fledged online business known as Filmer’s Chiffon Cakes. The café where Filmer worked has even asked him to supply them with cakes. We now sell nine different flavours. 

Looking back on how far Filmer has come reminds me of an incident from years ago. He was just 8. He was at a playground and a parent told her child not to play with him because he was different. We have put up with such behaviours over many years. People point, stare and whisper, but such incidents no longer upset us as a family.  

I’m so proud of my child. It’s never crossed my mind to hide him from the world. Get to know him and you’ll realize how kind, sociable, fun and loving he is. If the world would just open our hearts and minds to children and adults like Filmer, we’ll all realize how amazing they are. Shun them, and you’ll never know what you missed.

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But all that changed when I got involved in the Special Olympics movement, in particular, the Athlete Leadership Program which empowers young people with and without intellectual disabilities to become advocates for inclusion.

I can still recall the first session very vividly. Scared witless, I made my way to the venue, Grace Orchard School, without knowing anyone there. Lucky for me, I was grouped with an encouraging and lovely bunch of young people who made me feel at home. They were the people I would train to become a leader with. As the weeks went by, we would often speak our hearts because we had, amongst only us, an unspoken trust.

It was through this program that I met Florence Hui, a Special Olympics Singapore athlete leader with an intellectual disability. She is one of the main reasons I have evolved to become the leader I am today.

In the beginning, whenever I got anxious and afraid to voice my thoughts, she would gift me words of encouragement and remind me that we’re in it together, so there’s nothing to be fearful of. Her words sounded simple but they were so sincere, and have impacted me a great deal.

I’m so proud to have a friend like her. Over time, we have grown together. We embolden and solace each other and I absolutely could not ask for more.

Before Special Olympics, I had never once given a thought about people with ID, their daily lives, opportunities or lack of, and I had never heard the term ID. Intrigued, I proceeded to attend the weekly trainings with the Special Olympics Badminton Outreach team every Thursday with my schoolmates.

I was thrilled to volunteer and share the interest of sports with new friends and people of different abilities. It was a little nerve-racking in the beginning (especially as I’m not the most outgoing person) but I got settled in almost immediately because the athletes were just so warm and inviting. That was the moment I learned that people with ID are no different from all of us.

One of the first Special Olympics athletes I got to know through badminton training was Ethan. Every training, I would partner Ethan and we would work on his swings. Just like the other athletes, Ethan would find the drills exacting but after much encouragement and cheers for the tiniest of accomplishments, Ethan improved tremendously. This proved to me that with proper guidance and in an inclusive environment, athletes with ID are just as able to accomplish what neurotypicals can.

It was gratifying for both of us to witness his astounding progress. Although the training was tough, he remained bubbly and eager to learn. Ethan taught me the importance of perseverance and tenacity.

I was hooked. I ventured into other sports with Special Olympics, including floorball. It was unnerving for me as I rarely played team sports. I would often struggle with the drills and being a complete novice, I didn’t have the confidence to approach those around me for help. But to my surprise, Ramadhan, an athlete, came around to help me. He was patient and assured me that I could depend on him and the other teammates for help. It was heartwarming. I felt completely out of place before, and there he was, coaching me – a total stranger – boldly out of his own initiative. His act of kindness inspired me to do the same for others.

The athletes of Special Olympics have made me feel like family. They helped me find my voice, my confidence, and my leadership abilities. I am now determined to continue serving as a volunteer and youth leader. The fortitude, joy, and anticipation I’ve experienced have been indescribable. I have become a better player, better leader, better person, and I am grateful towards all the athletes, coaches and staff who have touched my life. Moving forward, I hope there will be less discrimination, more awareness and greater inclusion in this world. I pledge to do all I can to end misconceptions and injustice, and to do my part to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to shine in all aspects of their lives.

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In 2010, Hanako became an Special Olympics Singapore Board Member and was proud to represent other athletes. From 2012 to present, she works as an Admin Assistant at the SOAP headquarters and is also an Athlete Leader Regional Representative. Hanako enjoys learning about Special Olympics Singapore activities and events and more about the way Special Olympics works around the world. She continues to be an inspiration and a role model to many.

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Upon realising the low level of societal awareness on people with intellectual disabilities and the struggles they face, Aliyah has been motivated to continue her journey with Special Olympics for the world to understand and treat people with intellectual disabilities as equals, with dignity and respect. Since then, Aliyah has completed a 3- month internship with Special Olympics Singapore, and served as a key organising committee member of Special Olympics Asia Pacific’s Youth for Inclusion Summit in 2019. She also represented Special Olympics Singapore at the 2019 Global Youth Leadership Summit in Abu Dhabi.

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