Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) athlete Alex Guild, 22 of De Pere, was recently selected to compete at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea to be held January 29 – February 5, 2013. Special Olympics Team USA is comprised of athletes and coaches from all 50 states, including Guild, who will compete in snowshoe racing.
Guild, who is one of three athletes from Wisconsin representing Team USA, said, “This is a tremendous opportunity to represent Wisconsin and the USA in competition, to travel to another part of the world, and to meet, interact, and compete with teammates and foreign competitors.”
As a child, Guild suffered from Sensory Integration Dysfunction, a neurological disorder that decreases the brain’s ability to process and respond to sensory signals. The disorder left Guild unable to “feel” the ground beneath his feet, but with occupational therapy, joint compression and sensory treatments, Guild was able to overcome his symptoms. He now competes regularly as a competitive runner and has won numerous age-category medals.
Guild has been involved in Special Olympics for six years, participating in basketball, bowling, and soccer. During his time with Special Olympics, he has received a total of ten State Games medals, including four gold, four silver and two bronze. He has also excelled outside of Special Olympics, receiving the President’s Challenge Platinum Award for excellence in physical activity and fitness.
“Special Olympics has helped me gain confidence, meet new friends, and experience teamwork, cooperation, competition and sportsmanship,” he said.
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