After scouring countless articles Raja Dalis, a Special Olympics Illinois mother, struggled to find relatable narratives resonating with the everyday experience of parents of persons with disabilities. Fueled by her own powerful experiences with the strength of the Special Olympics community, Raja took matters into her own hands and created a monthly newsletter designed to meet parents right where they are—in the comfort of their own homes.
Raja’s vision for the newsletter is clear: “This is for all the parents out there feeling alone. My goal is to reach as many families as possible, so everyone feels the necessary support and connection.”
Raja didn’t always feel this sense of community as a mother. In fact, there was a time when she felt isolated, as her previous communities grew quiet once her autistic son was born. This loneliness transformed into a sense of belonging when her son’s teacher, Mr. Dan, introduced her family to Special Olympics.
Raja now describes Special Olympics as the family’s “backbone.” She explains, “When our family goes to Special Olympics events, we know there won’t be any judgement. It’s the type of inclusion and comfort we don’t experience anywhere else. Special Olympics is its own family, and [the families] relate to each other through our experiences.”
The most positive aspect of Raja’s experience with Special Olympics has been the increase in social-emotional well-being for both her and her son. While attending Special Olympics events, Raja has found like-minded families who are open to connecting and sharing stories of challenges and successes. Meanwhile, her son, Mustafa, has developed a newfound love for horses, clinched gold in equestrian competitions, fostered connections with teammates through basketball, and bolstered his self-confidence by achieving his goals. For Raja, these events allow them both to “refuel mentally, physically, and emotionally.” She emphasizes, “Taking care of myself through connecting with other families on the same page as me is important because my well-being allows me to support my son.”
However, Raja understands that not all families are familiar with the “overwhelming support” that Special Olympics provides. She explains, “Mustafa’s teacher, Mr. Dan, is an inspiration for me and many families in our school because he opened the world of Special Olympics to us. However, there are families who don’t know about Special Olympics and don’t have someone to tell them to join.” For families who are aware of Special Olympics, “It can also be difficult for parents to get out of their shell […] because they are not used to a non-judgmental space.”
To ensure that all families feel supported, Raja sends out her monthly newsletter filled with authentic anecdotes, valuable lessons, and helpful resources. The newsletter serves as a platform for Raja to connect with families through relatable experiences, even if they are not yet ready to attend community events in person. In her January edition, for instance, she shares, “We have been through it all. […] We are constantly learning new things every day to better understand the world of autism. This newsletter is here to share my story. One cup of coffee at a time. Spreading hope, awareness, support, and advocacy for our community.”
One of Raja’s most cherished moments from a Special Olympics event is seeing Mustafa glance towards her with the proud gleam of “I did it” after months of practice to meet his goals. Now, Raja is dedicated to meeting her own goals as well, including fostering social-emotional wellbeing for families both in person at Special Olympics events and as an instructional aide at her son’s school and virtually through her newsletter. As she reflects, “It is all a circle, and we all need community.”
