A Journey of Friendship, Confidence, and Achievement through Special Olympics

Meet Ellie Coe: a determined 26-year-old athlete from Hopkinton, NH, whose journey with Special Olympics has been one of resilience, friendships, and breaking expectations. Ellie has been competing as a Special Olympics athlete for over 12 years, mastering sports like basketball, snowshoeing, and track with the Concord Golden Eagles Local Program. This year, she is adding softball to her athletic portfolio, showing her commitment to growth and challenging herself.

A Rocky Start: Feeling Invisible

Growing up, Ellie was shy and struggled to feel included. In middle school, she tried joining the basketball team but left discouraged by an experience that lacked the warmth and camaraderie she was seeking. “I wasn’t bullied,” she recalls, “but I felt invisible.” Despite her efforts to connect with her peers, simple greetings often went unnoticed, and Ellie felt overlooked.

But everything began to change in 9th grade when Ellie joined her high school’s Unified basketball team, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities play together. For Ellie, it wasn’t just a team; it was an opportunity to be seen and respected. Unified Sports introduced her to friends, including her best friend, Emmy. Emmy and her friends rallied around Ellie, sparking a ripple effect of acceptance and inclusion. Suddenly, high-fives in the hallways became routine, and Ellie and her peers started to feel like part of the community.

Discovering Her Strengths and Building Confidence

Through Unified Sports, Ellie discovered a talent for basketball, and with each game, her confidence grew. Special Olympics gave her the space to develop her abilities, compete, and shine on the court. She not only found her athletic strengths but also began to see herself in a new light—as a capable, resilient, and talented individual.

Her journey has taken her to national and global stages. Ellie has represented her team in three national games for basketball, bringing home a gold medal in New Jersey in 2014 and bronze medals in Seattle (2018) and Florida (2022). Her travels culminated in a trip to Austria in 2017 for the Special Olympics World Games, where she competed in snowshoeing and won bronze. Austria became a cherished memory, not just for the competition but for the connections she made. Ellie recalls forming a bond with a fellow athlete from Pakistan, transcending language barriers with shared smiles and a mutual love for sport.

Growing into Leadership

Ellie’s journey from a shy middle schooler to a confident leader is a testament to her perseverance and the life-changing power of Special Olympics. After a two-year term on the Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) Board of Directors, Ellie took on a new role on the SONH staff as a data assistant. For Ellie, joining SONH was more than a job—it was a dream come true. She loves working on the data team, where her attention to detail and focus make her an invaluable member.

Working for SONH has brought a new wave of friendships and support. Her colleagues believed in her, helping Ellie blossom further into a confident, skilled professional. Being both an athlete and a staff member has given Ellie a sense of pride and purpose. She’s a living example of how athletes who train and compete in Special Olympics are twice as likely to be employed, challenging and redefining societal expectations.

Defying Expectations, Inspiring Others

Doctors once told Ellie’s family she would need constant assistance and might struggle to gain independence. Today, she proudly leads a life that defies those predictions. While she lives with her mom, Ellie is highly independent, tackling household chores and taking care of her beloved 10-year-old golden retriever, Apollo. In the future, she dreams of living on her own with Apollo, with her mom nearby for the occasional check-in. This balance of independence and teamwork with her mom shows Ellie’s strength and resilience.

For Ellie, Special Olympics has been a gateway to friendships, personal growth, and career opportunities she never imagined possible. Her story is a powerful reminder that inclusion and support can change lives, inspiring people to dream big and pursue those dreams with passion and resilience.

Celebrating Ellie’s Journey

Ellie’s journey is more than a testament to the strength of the human spirit; it’s a call to action for communities to embrace inclusion. Thanks to Special Olympics, Ellie has gained confidence, built meaningful friendships, and carved out a life filled with purpose and joy. As she continues to excel on the field and in her career, Ellie reminds us all of the power of sports, support, and believing in one another.