On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner, a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action.
Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as she reflected on her and her son's roles at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. From Jenny's early days as a freshman volunteer at the University of C...
On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner, a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action.
Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as she reflected on her and her son's roles at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. From Jenny's early days as a freshman volunteer at the University of Chicago to Joey's first experience as a student-athlete at the World Winter Games, we dive into their powerful experiences and lessons learned from over three decades of volunteering.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
- Jenny’s first experience volunteering for Special Olympics as a freshman at the University of Chicago and what inspired her to get involved.
- How her journey with Special Olympics has evolved over the past 30 years, and what has kept her passionate about advocating for athletes.
- Insights into how Special Olympics has grown and impacted the lives of athletes and their families.
- As a current Board Member of Special Olympics, Jenny shares the initiatives and changes she's most proud of contributing to.
- Advice for those just starting their volunteer journey with Special Olympics, especially if they’re unsure where to begin.
- What has been the most rewarding part of working with Special Olympics athletes, particularly those she’s met at the World Games.
- How volunteering with Special Olympics aligns with her personal values and has influenced her perspective on inclusion and community.
- Jenny’s hopes for the legacy of her involvement with Special Olympics, both personally and for the organization as a whole.
- How Joey first got involved with Special Olympics and what inspired him and his fellow Athletes in Action members from Yale to volunteer at the World Winter Games in Turin.
- The impact of volunteering with Special Olympics on him personally and as a student-athlete, and the lessons he’s learned about sport, inclusion, and community.
- Joey reflects on his first experience at the Special Olympics World Winter Games and how the event stands out from others.
- A specific moment during volunteering that made a lasting impression on him and his team.
- The role of student-athletes in Special Olympics and how they contribute to the experience for both themselves and the athletes they support.
- Joey shares what it’s like to follow in his mom’s footsteps in the Special Olympics community and his advice for other young people considering volunteering.
- What Joey is most excited about for the upcoming 2025 World Winter Games in Turin and how he envisions his role at the event.
- What volunteering at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin means to them as a mother-son duo and how this shared experience is special for their family.
- Their unique perspectives—Jenny as a Board Member and Joey as a student-athlete volunteer—and how they collaborate and support each other’s work within Special Olympics.
- The most impactful lessons they’ve learned from working with Special Olympics athletes and how they carry those lessons into their everyday lives.
- Their hopes for the future of Special Olympics as they prepare for the upcoming World Winter Games in Turin and beyond.
Key Takeaways:
- The life-changing power of volunteering and the sense of community it creates within Special Olympics.
- How Special Olympics provides athletes and volunteers alike with opportunities for growth, inclusion, and connection.
- Insights into the unique bond that forms between volunteers and athletes, and the impact that connection has on both groups.
- A powerful look at the long-term effects of giving back to the Special Olympics community and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for everyone to thrive.
Episode 772 ShowNotes & Links: SpecialChronicles.com/Podcast772
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- Enjoyed this episode? Tune in to our Special Chronicles Podcast Series "A Recap of Turin2025" to hear more stories from the World Winter Games
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- Podcast Theme Music: “It Starts With A Voice” written by Amy Wright and performed by Ben Wright, co-founders of Bitty and Beau’s Coffee. Used with permission.
About the Podcast Host:
Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE
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