“Mom wanted to see me in Seattle, and I made it,” says Glowacki
by Maddie Holesinger
LANSING, Ill. (July 28, 2018) – Joey Glowacki has a smile that can light up any room and a talent that he’s been working hard to develop. His talent: bowling. Glowacki is 29, and he has been practicing bowling for 10 years.
This year, Glowacki’s hard work paid off, and he was asked to compete at the Special Olympics U.S. Games in Seattle, Washington, in July. The Games are held every four years, and more than 4,000 athletes—children as well as adults, from all 50 states—participate in the 14 sports that are offered. Glowacki competed individually and on a team composed of three other bowlers, all from Illinois. He finished in sixth place in the individual event and came home with two gold medals and many new friends from all over the U.S.
Glowacki’s mom passed away in early March, but she was present at a ceremony last September when her son was selected as one of only 46 Illinois athletes who would travel to Seattle for the USA Games. Glowacki kept practicing with the hope of honoring her memory.
“I’m hanging tough for her,” said Joey. “Her dream has come true. She wanted to see me in Seattle, Washington, and I made it.”
Joey’s support base includes his dad, whom he calls his number one fan. In addition, his friends at LARC, the non-profit organization that provides work opportunities for Joey and other developmentally disabled adults, encouraged him to show off his talents.
This year’s Games celebrated not only the skills that the thousands of individual competitors have fostered, but also the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement. The overarching theme in Special Olympics is inclusion and acceptance.
LARC is located at 19043 Wentworth Avenue in Lansing. For more information about the work, life, and community opportunities they provide, call 708-474-1540 or visit www.larclansing.com.
