A young woman with Down syndrome is inspiring people to do what they love and work hard to achieve their dreams.
Twenty-eight-year-old Annie Murray is a beloved food court team member at the Cleveland Clinic’s Crile Emporium in Ohio, where she puts her heart and soul into her cleaning job, WKYC reported Friday.
She has been called one of the most reliable and hardworking team members and has the special ability to light up a room. She is not only dedicated to her job but works tirelessly to hone her skills as a figure skater. She told the outlet, “I feel proud of myself.”
Murray is a member of the Trinity Special Olympics program at Winterhurst in Lakewood and recently competed in Iceland, where she won the gold medal.
When speaking of being on the ice and winning the medal, she said, “It’s like [a] dream come true.”
In a social media post on Friday, the Cleveland Clinic praised the young athlete for her accomplishment, stating, “We’re proud to have her on our food service team!”
Images show her enjoying the sport and wearing the medals she has won over the years:
Coaches Marjorie Thomas and April Gabrylski said Murray has fun on the ice and always works hard. Thomas said, “I’ve been skating with Annie since she was about five. That girl is the bravest girl. She will try anything.”
According to the Special Olympics website, its mission is to provide sports training and athletic competitions all year long for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
“The Special Olympics mission remains as vital today as it did when the movement was founded in 1968. Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people,” the site continued.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder, and those born with it have different levels of severity. However, those people are also capable of living fulfilling lives, per the Mayo Clinic.