Three Special Olympics athletes are featured in the recently released New York Times Best Seller Humans. In the book, author Brandon Stanton shares stories and photographs from more than 40 countries, each drawn from his popular website and social media series called Humans of New York, which The Washington Post described as "one of the most influential art projects of the decade."
“When I left home, my mom said to focus hard on my trainings and make Egypt proud of you. Sometimes when I’m on my horse I pretend like my mom is right beside me and not all the way back in Cairo,” shared Special Olympics athlete from Egypt Mariam Adel Azzab when interviewed by Stanton at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. Stanton covered 37 stories of athletes, parents, coaches and volunteers participating in the Games. Three of those profiles, from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Mongolia, are included in Humans. In the Washington Post’s book review, the story from Special Olympics Saudi Arabia serves as the first example.
Read more great Special Olympics stories shared by Humans of New York.