Ashton Special Olympics World Game

The 2019 swimming here is underway for state games the money that is raised for my go fund me will be used for your round activities for special Olympics cost including hotels and food I started swimming in 1994 when I was eight years old.  My mentors, Jean and Steve, drove me to the YMCA in Waxahachie where I swam almost every day (Monday through Friday) until I graduated high school.  All throughout high school, I swam for Waxahachie ISD and attended Texas A&M and USA swim camps.  After high school, I joined various Special Olympics swim team Tarrant County and have been swimming in Special Olympics competitions ever since then. Throughout my adult life I have also participated in Special Olympics flag football, track and field, and basketball, but swimming is by far my passion.  In July 2018, I competed and placed in the top 2 in the Special Olympics National Games in Seattle in the 100 yard butterfly, 100 yard IM, 100 yard freestyle, and 4x100 yard IM relay. While at the National Meet I was featured on ESPN (https://twitter.com/espnw/status/1015019576021614592?lang=en) where I shared what motivates me to swim and compete.  In my opinion, a lot of African Americans don't know how to swim either because they don't have the opportunity financially or the facilities.  I swim to help bring awareness to this problem, and to also inspire those with disabilities and to teach them that they can do anything they put their mind to no matter their impairments/disabilities. I have been swimming 3-4 days a week at my local YMCA to keep up my skills up and prepare myself for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games.  Unfortunately I do not have the funds ($5,000)  to cover my attendance myself.  Donations will go towards things such as flights, food, hotels, registration and fees, transportation, etc.  I would really appreciate your support and donations to help me spread my message to a world-wide audience and represent this country at the World Games.  Lastly, I would like to thank my family and most of all my Grandmother, Mary Francis Anderson, for all the opportunities and experiences they provided for me.  If it weren't for you, I would never have been able to swim or play sports at all.  THANK YOU so much for your support!!!  P.S. Below, there are videos of me swimming at the Special Olympics Texas State Swim Meet in College Station, TX and links to articles published on SwimSwam about me.  Also, the World Games will be televised March 14-21, 2019, so catch me on TV  tearing up the pool! SwimSwam Articles: https://swimswam.com/ashton-smith-wins-gold-in-100-fly-and-with-mindset/ https://swimswam.com/ashton-smith-excited-to-represent-us-at-special-olympics-world-games/ Special Olympics Texas State Swim Meet in College Station, TX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNmjIYzhZTvqunewaHHFpnA/featured