Tomi DeGrado is not only a participant in Special Olympics, she also takes seriously her role as an advocate for its importance.
DeGrado, 19 of Marshalltown, is an athlete board member for Special Olympics Iowa and took her message to Washington D.C. last week along with other athletes from across the nation.
While in Washington, the Marshalltown High School senior met with several lawmakers from Iowa including U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa and U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa. The goal was to promote awareness and funding for Special Olympics and support those with disabilities.
"I told them what Special Olympics was about and what it meant for me," DeGrado said. "It's made me more confident and it's made me more social with family, friends and new people."
She spent a considerable amount of time talking to Harkin during a breakfast gathering and showed him photos of her participation in Special Olympics.
"I just stood there and cried to see how far our little girl has come," said Kay DeGrado, Tomi's mom. "Everyone was receptive to what Tomi had to say. I think Tomi was very honored to represent 11,000 Special Olympics athletes in Iowa."
Aside from meeting lawmakers, Tomi and her parents also toured the sites including The White House, war memorials and the Capitol Building.
"I loved it," Tomi said of the tour. "I really liked all the history of it."
Tomi's work as an advocate for people with disabilities is not done yet. She will meet Gov. Terry Branstad in Des Moines on March 6 as he signs a proclamation as part of a campaign to end the R-word.
