Salla talks about how Special Olympics has changed her life

Special Olympics Indiana has announced that Melony Salla, a Special Olympics Team Indiana athlete and State Board member is a featured author in the March 2022 edition of Special Needs Living Magazine (SNLM).

In the article, “How Special Olympics Changed My Life,” SNLM previewed that Salla “shares how her involvement in Special Olympics Indiana over the past 14 years has helped her to find her voice and to become a leader of the #InclusionRevolution.”

Salla explained that back in December she was asked to write an article for Indiana Special Needs Living Magazine by Kelly Ries of Special Olympics Indiana and also spoke with Jamie McCabe who is the publisher of the magazine, “Never in a million years would I think I would write an article or even be published in a magazine. Well, here we are! My article is in the March issue! I’m very excited and proud how this came out.”

Special Needs Living is a monthly magazine written by individuals and families with special needs. “We share great local resources and put on events to connect the community together,” shared Area Director for n2publishing Jamie McCabe.

McCabe gave some information about how the connection with Salla was made. McCabe heard Salla speak at a Special Olympics breakfast and was extremely impressed with her speaking ability, how she carried herself, and her story, “I got to follow up with a phone conversation to get to know her more. I love how she shared how much confidence she has gained by being a part of Special Olympics and on the leadership team with them.

“She is so eager to help others and that is why she was excited to share her story in Special Needs Living. To let other individuals with special needs know that they, too, can grow themselves and their confidence by being a part of Special Olympics and their leadership team. Thanks for setting a positive example, for sharing your story, and for impacting the community, Melony!”

Salla has earned state and national recognition as Indiana 2020 Miss Amazing Miss Queen, National 2020 Miss Amazing Miss Queen, Area Special Olympics Athlete of the Year 2013, and Sate Special Olympics Athlete of the Year 2013. Salla graduated from Benton Central Jr.-Sr. High School (BC) in 2014, where she is currently a paraprofessional. She credits BC Coach Juanita Garten-Ecret and Coach Dave Black for her initial and ongoing interest in the local and state Special Olympics and for getting her ready for the upcoming national Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.

Coach Garten-Ecret said that Salla was like many athletes who have joined Special Olympics. She found a sense of belonging, increased her skills, and developed self-confidence, “but something more happened with Melony. She took classes in the Athlete Leadership Program and found that leadership was for her! She found her voice and her passion through Special Olympics. She is a role model and leader for other athletes both locally and across the state. She constantly amazes me with the ease that she takes on new challenges and new roles, and always with an enthusiastic smile!”

Coach Black offered that Melony is the perfect athlete, “Ever since she became involved in Special Olympics in seventh grade, she has been a dependable, hard worker with great listening and application skills. When training, she puts every ounce of effort into every drill and exercise which has allowed her to maximize her abilities. These characteristics have molded her into the person she is today.”