[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cp\u003EAnita Forde first started Special Olympics at 13 years old. Before joining, she struggled with shyness and lack of confidence. Socialisation and communication were challenges, but Special Olympics gave Anita a sense that she was valued, included, and supported.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince then, Anita has become highly involved in many different aspects of Special Olympics \u2013 from representing Ireland in basketball at the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, to developing leadership skills in the Athlete Leadership and Fitness Captains programmes. Anita has made a mark on the Eastern Region Athlete leadership Committee, making sure that athletes\u2019 voices are heard and their perspectives included.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSpecial Olympics was the first place that I didn\u0027t feel alone - when I said I couldn\u0027t, they said I can! I\u2019ve made friends through my club, competitions, Athlete Leadership Forums and through the Eastern Region Athlete Leadership Committee. I\u2019ve had many opportunities with Special Olympics that I thought I would never get, which I am grateful for: to learn to be a Leader, to help others, to encourage others and to have a voice. Now, I\u2019m looking forward to see what new opportunities await not just for me, but for all athletes, and to see how Special Olympics changes their lives through sports.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpecial Olympics means everything to me; it changed my life. The best part is that you\u2019re included, you\u2019re not alone, and you have a voice.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","dialogOptions":{"dialogClass":"popup-dialog-class","width":"60%","modal":true,"title":"Anita Finds Her Voice","classes":{"ui-dialog":"popup-dialog-class"}}}]