Misty Pagliario
How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?
16 years.
How did you first introduced to the movement and what got you hooked?
I was first introduced at a volunteer fair while I was running the Rotary booth and two ladies asked if they could pick my brain about skiing. I then joined and became the local Special Olympics program coordinator and the rest is history. Hooked for life!
How has Special Olympics impacted your life?
When I first started volunteering with Special Olympics, I had been working in the dental field for over 25 years. Once I started working with the athletes, I made the life-changing choice to change fields and started working in Social Services. This work fills my heart and is truly what I was meant to do.
What is your favourite part about your role on the team?
I absolutely love being an alpine ski coach. It gives me so much joy to share my passion for skiing with the athletes. It is so rewarding to know that I can help an athlete obtain their goals and master skills – while sharing my lifelong love of sports!
What is your proudest moment with Special Olympics?
With 16 years of Special Olympics experience, there are so many proud moments. But watching an athlete open their letter inviting them to represent their country at World Games, and knowing that your coaching helped them reach that goal, is priceless!
What does being a part of Special Olympics Team Canada mean to you and what is your goal for Turin?
To me, being a part of the team is being part of a family. We are all there to support each other and achieve milestones and have someone to share and celebrate with. My goal for these Games is to help every athlete and coach on our team perform at their best and enjoy the experience while fostering lifelong friendships and accomplishment.
What unique skills or experiences do you bring to your role as a coach, mission staff or team leadership and what drives you to support and inspire the athletes every day?
I relate well with the athletes, and I have an ability to keep people calm. I keep coming back to Special Olympics because it gives me purpose and is abundantly rewarding.
What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering with Special Olympics?
Special Olympics is by far the most rewarding use of your time and abilities. It is a worldwide family of inclusion and inspiration. Just try it once and you will be hooked on the power of sport and the difference it makes in people's lives. Go ahead try it!