Back to stories
Striking Silver at the 2024 Special Olympics: Daniel's Story
When Daniel sat down with an independent personal plan facilitator to talk about his goals and dreams, he kept bringing up his passion: bowling. If you mention bowling around Daniel, his face lights up and you can see the love and drive in his bright smile.
A kind gentleman with a zest for life, Daniel's journey to silver at this year's Special Olympics in Calgary is a testament to his consistent hard work, his skill, and the power of a good personal plan.
Daniel uses some of his Passport dollars - self-directed funding from the Ontario government - to bowl every Tuesday and Thursday. Bowling is more than a sport for Daniel. When he bowls, he connects with old and new friends, brightening the room of his local bowling alley with his joy and his strikes.
This winter, he made the journey across provinces to Alberta, where he struck silver at the Special Olympics. On that special day in Calgary, hearing the cheers and encouragement from fellow athletes, Daniel stepped onto the lanes with a heart full of determination and the calm of a professional athlete.
Though bowling is a solo sport, Daniel is a team player in every aspect of his life and outside of bowling, he spends time volunteering in his community, hanging out with his beloved housemates, and lending his voice to Our Voices Matter, a self-advocacy group at Karis Disability Services.
Through his remarkable journey, we can see Daniel’s dreams coming true when he has the resources and support to determine what is important to him, find belonging, share his gifts, and celebrate his success.
