Hi.  My name is Eric Retelle.  I am 26 years old.  Before Special Olympics, I was really shy and didn't know anyone.  I didn't have very many friends.  I didn't like to talk to people because I was different.

When I was 8 years old, my teacher, Karen Bennett, started a Special Olympics team - called the Reeds Ferry Tiggers and she asked me to be on it.  When I joined the team I played around with some of the people I already knew at first - but then all of the other athletes came to me and said "hi" -and I became friends with lots of people! 

Today, I am not shy.  I like meeting new people. I am a social butterfly.  I compete in Basketball, Track & Field and Bowling.  My favorite sport is Bowling.  Basketball and Track & Field are also good because they get my heart going and help me stay in shape. 

Special Olympics has helped me meet friends - not just in Special Olympics - but also people without disabilities.  In 2011 I was an intern at a company called Dyn.  I did such a good job during the internship that they offered me a job when the internship was over.  I work 3 days a week as a Sales and Marketing Assistant in the Events Team.  I help plan and execute promotional events.  If I hadn't learned how to make friends in Special Olympics then I wouldn't have my job at Dyn.