Juliet Lammers and Lorraine Price

Documentary Filmmaker and Writer

Our documentary film, Last Woman Standing, tells the story of Ariane and Mary, two world champion boxers, former friends, and one-time teammates, forced to fight one another for the shared dream of making history at the first Olympic Games to include women's boxing.

John Malik

Chef

Standing out in a crowd of well-known, fund-raising, BBQ aficionados can be a challenge. Jeff Bannister likes to stand out in a crowd, which is how he ended up cooking a whole steer.

Bob McKinnon

Director, GALEWiLL Center

Those who went to Penn State know Penn State. It's time make sure that the world knows the real story about our school. One that respects our past, responds to our failings and restores our cherished reputation.

Don McNay

Bestselling author. Newest book: 'Life Lessons From the Lottery: Protecting Your Money in a Scary World'

Along with never having broadcast a basketball game, I had never been to a Special Olympics before. I'm not sure how I missed the Special Olympics.

Matthew Holder

President Elect, American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, and Global Medical Advisor for Special Olympics

No one believes that if the R-word vanished, access to the best health care will suddenly appear and the medical problems faced by people with intellectual disabilities magically fixed, but language affects attitudes, and attitudes affect action.

Kel Kelly

Entrepreneur, wife and mother; founder and CEO, Kel & Partners

You are the champion of the underdog. Your voice matters. Your fans and your staff will follow your lead. Lead them to a better place, Howard.

Meghan Morris

Student, Medill School at Northwestern University

Censorship has no place in democracy, but self-examination does. The larger goal behind "Spread the word to end the word" is not to replace the r-word with another equally stigmatizing phrase, but to increase inclusion for those who may speak, act or move differently.

Andy Miah

Professor, University of the West of Scotland

A lot has been written about how the tragedy will mean the loss of a hero for the sports world and for people with disabilities. But, Pistorius isn't just any old sporting hero.

Jessica Watson

Blogger, Four Plus an Angel

The truth is, I wish I could just follow you around with an embarrassing mom bag of sunglasses and earplugs and sensory toys but you don't want those things anymore. You want to brave it on your own and I am so proud of you for that.

Malika Ait-Mohammed Parent

Under Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross & Red Cross Societies

Collectively, we must focus our efforts on working with this vulnerable yet powerful group of people.

Isaac Zablocki

Director of Film Programs, ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival

By celebrating the Special Olympics we are celebrating the beauty that is in everyone, not the random standard that society is selling us to make us feel safe. We are asked to take a chance and see the amazing accomplishments of each individual.

Antonio Villaraigosa

Mayor of the City of Los Angeles

The Special Olympics is all about inclusion and acceptance, and these qualities are in Los Angeles' DNA. As one of the most diverse cities in the world, Los Angeles is a natural for hosting the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2015.

Jessica Watson

Blogger, Four Plus an Angel

I have carried, just as carefully as any gold medal, the gift that Special Olympics has given to our family. A perfectly built place where my daughter will always belong, where she will win far more often than lose, because everyone has told her she can.

Beth Sullivan

Executive director of media relations, The International Down Syndrome Coalition

Olympic athletes train their entire lives. They devote every spare moment to their sport. For the Special Olympic athlete, we think it's fair to say that nothing comes easily. Just living in a typical world is an Olympic feat.

Mark R. Miller

Board member and the communications director, American Special Hockey Association

What can we believe about sports, and the people who play them? You won't find the answer on your local sports news, on ESPN, or in Sports Illustrated. No, to truly understand the power and beauty of sports, you'd have to be in Seoul, South Korea.

Sec. Tom Vilsack

U.S Agriculture Secretary

I hope that all Americans will take some time over the course of these Games to reflect on the value and contributions of people with disabilities, and how we can all take part in promoting the full inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in our communities.