b'42,000 people in Ireland have intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics doesnt just change the lives of athletes, it changes the life of their community. Matt English, CEO of Special Olympics IrelandI love training and competingand Ive traveled all over the world thanks to SpecialOlympics, says Aisling Beacom, a Special Olympicsathlete who favors swimming. Aisling was elected to be the Athletes representative on the Boardof DirectorsofSpecialOlympicsIreland.Shewas chosen to travel to the UN in 2006 to make a presen-tation on behalf of people with intellectual disabilitiesaround the world. The Franklin D. Roosevelt award ispresented annually to countries that have been seento make significant progress in the field of disability.While there, she met Kofi Annan who was recognizedfor his staunch support of the award over his term ofoffice as Secretary-General of the UN. Aisling was once very introverted, says hermother Pam. She had very few friends. But the BlueDolphins have completely changed all that. Thanks toSpecial Olympics she has a community now and sodoes our family. Its been life-changing. Allofthelessonsandbenefitsthatsport instills are magnified when it comes to those with intellectual disabilities, explains Matt English, ChiefExecutiveOfficerofSpecialOlympicsIreland.Lessons of respect, health competition and strengthhave a transformative effect on athletes. We not onlyseetheirself-esteemincrease,buttheirhealth improves. It changes lives.Aisling Beacom of the Blue Dolphins connect2014 | 38 Special Olympics Club of Wicklow'