Lisa and Lauren Maiocco of Naples will be baking cookies this month, as they do every year. Dozens and dozens of cookies. It's their joyful Christmas tradition to deliver cookies to local fire stations to thank the first responders in the community for their hard work. They have been treated to tours of stations and look forward to their holiday giving every year.
When they are not baking, you may find the twins are on the track training. They are Special Olympics champions! Meet Lisa and Lauren and their mother and Special Olympics Florida coach, Janet.
NL: What are you thankful for this holiday season?
Janet: I’m thankful that I’ve had the privilege to parent my twin daughters, Lisa and Lauren. They have taught me so much about perseverance and what the human spirit is capable of. I am beyond grateful for Special Olympics Florida and for the opportunity to coach the athletes, lend a listening ear, and cheer them on while celebrating their unique skills and abilities. I am thankful for the parents, caregivers, and volunteers who work with these athletes and who, without exception, focus on their ability and not disability. Lastly, I am thankful for how Naples has embraced people with special needs and how it has adopted a vision for inclusion.
Lisa and Lauren: We are thankful for all the friends we have met through Special Olympics Florida and for being able to compete in different sports, gaining more confidence and taking on more responsibility. We are thankful that when we do our best we get medals and ribbons. We are most thankful, though, for our family and our church friends who are always by our side encouraging us. It makes us feel very cared for.
Lisa: I am thankful for Special Olympics Florida and being part of the Leadership Team. I feel challenged to expand my thinking and problem-solving skills and be a positive representative of the organization. I am thankful for my volunteer job at St. John's Thrift Shoppe.
Lauren: I am thankful for my school program through Easter Seals. I have learned many new job and life skills.