Delawarean to compete in Special Olympics World Games

The Special Olympics World Games draw athletes from around the world. This year, there are four Delawareans competing, including 18-year-old Virginia Shaud.  

Shaud likes to go by Ginger, and the Rehoboth Beach native is definitely what you would call an athlete.

She does it all! Shaud goes on, “Bowling, soccer, and basketball.”

The teen with autism is taking her skills in her favorite sport to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. She’ll be competing in aquatics.

Shaud says, “Doing the 100 yard free, the 200 yard free, and the 100 yard backstroke.”

She says backstroke is her favorite because she’s not the biggest fan of goggles. However, she made an exception and put them on for 47 ABC and gave us a little preview of what she’ll be doing in LA.

Shaud admits that swimming is tiring, but also relaxing.  

According to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation, swimming can actually provide therapy for children with autism.  It can improve speech, coordination, self-esteem, cognitive processing and serve as a social outlet.

This exposure is something Shaud will be getting a lot of in Los Angeles. The world games will be hosting 7,000 athletes from 177 countries and Shaud says she can’t wait. 

She continues, “Pretty exciting.”

This upcoming Monday there will be a sendoff party at the Philadelphia airport for the Delawareans competing in the games before they board their plane for Los Angeles.