For Michael Grace, Special Olympics has not only been a place for sports, leadership and activities, but it has also been a spot for friendship. Through his involvement in his high school’s Unified Club and the partnership with Transition+ and the University of Minnesota Unified Club, Michael has made life-long allies.
We sat down for a Q&A with Michael and his sister Margaret to learn more about his journey with Special Olympics Minnesota and the friendships he has made!
How did you become involved in Special Olympics Minnesota?
Michael: I started playing basketball and track & field with Special Olympics when I was 10 years old. I also started my high school’s Unified Club after my mom asked for more information about Unified at my high school.
Margaret: You and Mom worked really hard to get the Unified Club going at Southwest High School and it was a big success! A lot of other students joined the club, and everyone loved doing it with you.
What is your favorite memory with Special Olympics Minnesota?
Michael: I love events, like the parade during the University of Minnesota’s Homecoming Week! At the homecoming parade, we marched with the Unified Club at the U of M. There was a dunk tank and other fun activities.
What does inclusion mean to you?
Margaret: I think inclusion means including people and being together, instead of excluding people.
Michael: Inclusion means making friends!
Can you tell me about some of the friends you’ve made through Special Olympics?
Michael: There are a lot of them! Like my friends Jordaan, Lassie, Thalia, Ryan, Abbi, Rachel, Julia and Max. We do some activities in the summer, like kickball, and events at the University of Minnesota. We like to do the wave together too!
Margaret: A lot of the people you mentioned are friends for life, not just in the Unified Club. What did they come to recently to support you?
Michael: They came to my dance show and came over to my house a couple months ago for my birthday!
Margaret: Yes! These are really special friendships that go above and beyond the scheduled activities through the Unified Club. They’ve also been very helpful with decision making: Some of your friends through Special Olympics have been there for you when you’ve had to make difficult decisions.
Can you tell us more about this dance group?
Michael: I have been dancing with Young Dance for 12 years since I was 12 years old!
Are there any other activities you like to do with your friends?
Michael: We do a lot. We always go to Twins games and get ice cream at Dairy Queen. I like to try new Blizzards there! We also like to play pickleball at the University of Minnesota. During COVID, we had virtual Bingo nights to stay connected.
Margaret: Michael, do you have any special memories from the USA Games?
Michael: Right! We went to Orlando, Florida for the 2022 USA Games there and we went to Disney World! We stayed at a Disney hotel. I played Unified basketball at the Games.
Were you on the plane that Team Minnesota took to Orlando? What was that like?
Michael: Yes, I went with all my teammates, and we took a flight with all the team. I met up with my family in Florida.
Margaret: We were jealous of all your matching luggage! Was it cool to travel with all your friends without your family?
Michael: Yes!
What are some ways you are a good friend to your Special Olympics friends?
Michael: It’s like being a family.
Margaret: You do a really good job staying in touch with your friends even when you’re not in the same place. Like your friend Jordaan in Chicago who you are planning to see when he comes back to Minneapolis soon. And Michael, where is your friend Lassie right now?
Michael: Lassie is in Buenos Aires.
Margaret: And you’ve been texting and calling and keeping the friendship going, even when she’s traveling. You are so awesome at that.
How does it feel when your friends show up for you, like when they came to your dance performance and your birthday?
Michael: Joyful.
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved with Special Olympics who might be nervous?
Michael: I’ve never been nervous! 
Margaret: So, would you tell people that they don’t need to be nervous? Or what would you tell someone to expect?
Michael: Just have fun!
