Sam is aiming for the 2023 Virtus Global Games!

Sam is an inspiration! All who know him understand this very well.

Born with the genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome, Sam spent 19 days in the NICU at birth, oxygen flowing through both nostrils, one nostril sharing space with a feeding tube routed through his nose, past his stomach and into his intestines because he was too weak to breathe and eat. He spent the next 12 months with a feeding pump and Oxygen tank following him around, 6 of those months he spent in a special brace holding his hip joints in their proper position since his muscles were too weak to do the job. Nowadays he travels much lighter!

With a great deal of determination and hard work Sam has achieved things that individuals with PWS are not expected to do. Many of his successes may not have been realized if not for the support of those who love Sam.

Over the past 15 years Sam has been learning, practicing, and recently teaching, Taekwondo. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and has a gift for teaching those with disabilities. Sam also volunteers as an assistant in a classroom for students with severe disabilities, which he finds very gratifying.

Having practiced Taekwondo since age 7, Sam has learned a great deal and recently has competed in several State and National level Poomsae (or Forms) competitions in the classification for persons with disabilities. Due to his abilities and his success in these competitions Sam has earned the opportunity to compete in the Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France this June. This is a global competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, for which he qualifies.

We hope Sam's story gives hope to parents of children with Prader-Willi Syndrome and other disabilities, and that it inspires others with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

A group of kind parents associated with the Taekwondo academy where Sam practices is organizing a local fundraiser to help Sam with expenses involved with this competition. So this gofundme request is intended for those who may be unable to make it to the local fundraiser event but would still like to support Sam.

Thank you for your interest in, and support of Sam!

For anyone interested in knowing more about Prader-Willi Syndrome and/or the Virtus Global Games, here are a few links:

Information about the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association