If you ask Stephanie Perry to choose a word that describes her she will tell you “INDEPENDENT.” Stephanie resides in one of PARC's apartment complexes, she works in PARC’s TES (Transitional Employment Services) program, and has a myriad of personal interests and activities.

One of Stephanie’s favorite activities is participating as an athlete with Special Olympics Illinois. She is currently a member of the PARC Pirate’s basketball team. Stephanie became a Special Olympics athlete in 2004 and has been participating in athletic events ever since. One of her friends was a Special Olympics Global Messenger and knew of Stephanie’s interest in public speaking and her desire to become an advocate for Special Olympics. This friend recommended Stephanie to the Area Director for Special Olympics Illinois as a candidate for the Global Messenger program. In March of 2006 Stephanie became a Global Messenger.

In October of 2006, Stephanie was invited to sit on the Special Olympics Illinois Board of Directors. She acquired a seat on the Board in February of 2007. She will serve on the Board until February of 2010. She is also an ex-officio member of the Athlete Input Council for Special Olympics Illinois.

Global Messengers are the most active part of the Athlete Leadership Program in Illinois. They are the athlete spokespersons for Special Olympics who have completed a two-day training session in communications along with their local speech mentor. Global Messengers are called upon to give presentations about their involvement with Special Olympics to various groups throughout the state with the goal of increasing awareness about the program.  Special Olympics Illinois launched its Global Messenger program in 1997 and now has 75 Global Messengers.

Stephanie has a special tie to her local speech mentor; it is her mom, Barbie Perry. The two are very active with the Global Messenger program and with Special Olympics Illinois in general. Participation in Special Olympics Illinois allows them to learn about themselves, advocate for persons with disabilities, meet new friends, and most importantly they get to have fun!

Congratulations go out to Stephanie for her most recent achievement, becoming an Area 6 Special Olympics Illinois Advanced Global Messenger. She recently completed two days of training to qualify for this position.

If you are interested in having a Global Messenger speak at your event, please contact Karen Milligan, Director of ALPS & Families at 1-800-394-0562.