Celebrate A Champion of Inclusion
By Daniel Smrokowski, Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger & Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leader
Chris Winston is sitting on our terrace overlooking the courtyard and the Persian Gulf in the distance at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Canal Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). I’m answering the door for the pizza delivery as my Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger (SSIGM) friends approach our villa. First comes Nyasha from Special Olympics Zimbabwe, who is followed by Kurtis from Special Olympics Hong Kong, Hanna from Special Olympics Colorado and Renee from Special Olympics Hawaii. Soon after, our colleagues from Brazil, Great Britain, Kuwait, Pakistan, Australia, and the Philippines join us inside our villa.
Normally we wouldn’t be having a pizza party in a villa during the final days of our March trip to the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. It all happened a few days before our final day in the UAE. We were about to take a day trip to Dubai when a manager of the hotel approached Chris to say that a high-profile presidential guest booked our original hotel room. This presented us with an amazing opportunity to live the “Villa Life.”
By day, Chris is the Chief Marketing Officer with Special Olympics, Illinois. During my four-year term as an SSIGM, Chris serves as my mentor, aka, my “bag carrier.” (That’s an inside joke between the two of us!). My first global opportunity as an SSIGM was in Abu Dhabi. It was here where Chris acted as my cameraman for The Abu Dhabi Daily Show, a digital video podcast series on the events during World Games. Chris and I got dressed up in our suits to attend the Founders Reception at a prestigious hotel in Abu Dhabi. He helped me to tie my red tie.
Before becoming an SSIGM, I didn’t have anyone to be my mentor. During the application process, I was at a loss for who could be my mentor. Chris was the first and only person I thought of. Locally, Chris helped me get a column published in a major market newspaper — The Chicago Sun-Times — that appeared in early July 2018. This had always been a longtime dream of mine. With the support of Chris, my Champion of Inclusion, this dream of being published in a major market newspaper became a reality.
Chris has time and again gone out of his way to be my champion and to care for me like a family member would — a big brother or a father would.
Chris has and always will be a true Champion of Inclusion — in my life and also for all my fellow Special Olympics athletes. He truly understands what it means to be a Champion of Inclusion. I knew it was a big ask of Chris to be my mentor. Chris always knows what is best for me and how to help me become a better athlete leader. Also, how to help me become a better person, a better friend, a better boyfriend to my girlfriend, Georgia, and a better son and brother to my family. That is what my Champion of Inclusion means in my life.
Join me in celebrating Chris Winston.
Do you have a Champion of Inclusion in your life? Submit your champion here.
This month, we are celebrating everyone who’s leading the charge for respecting and embracing all differences, all abilities. Join our peaceful revolution: Sign The Inclusion Pledge: jointherevolution.org
All Champions of Inclusion deserve to be celebrated. One way to do that is with the new playlist “Special Olympics Champions” that’s now streaming on Pandora. My friends and fellow athletes picked out our favorite songs that make us feel like champions. Turn it up, get inspired, and let’s get pumped to change the world! Click here to listen now!
