Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) selected Amanda Stroinski of Wisconsin Rapids as one of 62 athletes to represent Team Wisconsin at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in Princeton, New Jersey on June 14-21, 2014. Wisconsin athletes will compete in athletics, aquatics, bocce, bowling, flag football, gymnastics, powerlifting and volleyball.
Stroinski has competed in Special Olympics athletics, basketball, bowling and softball for the past 21 years. Stroinski, who loves to travel, set a goal for herself three years ago to attend the Special Olympics USA Games and is excited that her hard work has paid off.
“I’m very excited and proud that I have the chance to roar!” she said. “I will show myself that I can do this.”
Stroinski developed a vision impairment, Strabismus, at a young age which led her to experience some blurriness and double vision. According to Stroinski, Special Olympics has helped her tackle this health issue as well as other challenges.
“It has helped me to overcome certain fears, like not being afraid of the loudness of the [bowling] pins, getting along with others, and having people accept me for the way I am,” she said.
Stroinski said her greatest sports moment was when she received a gold medal for bowling at the 2007 Special Olympics State Games in Milwaukee.
“When I am on the podium receiving awards, whether it is a medal or ribbon, I feel like a champion because I know I have done my best.”
Stroinski will compete in bowling and will be one of 90 delegates representing Team Wisconsin at the 2014 USA Games in New Jersey. Support Stroinski and her trip to the 2014 USA Games at www.SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org/USAGames.
