(Chesapeake, Va) - Each year in February and March, thousands of people all around the nation jump into freezing cold waters to raise awareness for Special Olympics in an event called the “Polar Plunge.”
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Kaitlin Dykes, a Special Olympics athlete from Chesapeake, Va., is incredibly brave. As a Special Olympics athlete for the past ten years, Kaitlin recently jumped into the freezing cold ocean as part of the organization's annual Polar Plunge.
“It's very cold. We all go to the beach and have some fun. I go all the way in the water, under the water and high-five all the divers,” Kaitlin said.
Kaitlin loves God and the Special Olympics "because everyone is welcome--all ages and all abilities and all the special gifts that God gives us.“
Kaitlin participates in several Special Olympics events including basketball, softball and soccer.
She says participating in Special Olympics events and fundraisers like the Polar Plunge give her a chance to shine the light of Jesus.
“I always wanted to be a missionary. I thought being a missionary means that you have to go somewhere but I realized that I am a missionary. God used me right where I'm at--everywhere I go,” Kaitlin said.
Kaitlin’s mother, Patrice Dykes, said Special Olympics has given her daughter a place not only to feel included, but to thrive.
Kaitlin is currently serving as one of nine Global Messengers for Special Olympics Virginia, which is a program designed to train Special Olympics athletes in speech communication skills in order to promote events.