Special Olympics Illinois athlete Brandy shares how her IL ABLE account helps her with her Special Olympics goals.
Brandy is an IL ABLE account owner AND a Special Olympics Illinois athlete and she is bound for the USA Games in Florida in June 2022. In our recent interview with Brandy, she shared how her IL ABLE account helps her with her Special Olympics goals.
accessABLE: IL ABLE is helping to make it possible for athletes like you to attend the USA Games next year. You are an IL ABLE Account Owner. How did you find out about IL ABLE?
Brandy: I found out about IL ABLE through my case manager (a person who supports Brandy).
accessABLE: When did you open your IL ABLE account?
Brandy: I have had an IL ABLE account since 2019.
accessABLE: Did you open the account yourself or did someone help you open the account?
Brandy: I was assisted by the case manager of my group home to open my IL ABLE account. (For our readers: many people with disabilities deposited their stimulus payments into their IL ABLE accounts to protect their benefits).
accessABLE: Tell us about your job and what you do.
Brandy: I work at Accolade Nursing Home. I am a dietary aid. I serve the residents, wash the dishes, and interact with the residents.
accessABLE: Do you deposit your paycheck into your IL ABLE account?
Brandy: No (For our readers: Did you know that you can deposit all or part of your paycheck into your IL ABLE account? And, IL ABLE Account Owners who work can contribute more each year to their IL ABLE accounts. Learn more!
accessABLE: How might you use the money you have saved in your IL ABLE account during the USA Games in Florida?
Brandy: I plan on buying souvenirs. I also want to experience as much as I can from the USA Games.
accessABLE: Tell us what it was like for you when State Treasurer Frerichs visited you at the Rec Center in Pontiac, IL? What were you thinking when you first saw him?
Brandy: I was so excited and I was thinking ‘What are all these cameras and people here for?’
accessABLE: How did it feel to hear the news from the Treasurer that you are going to represent Illinois in next June’s Special Olympics USA Games in Florida?
Brandy: It was exciting! I felt good inside to know I was going to the USA Games in Florida.
accessABLE: Being a Special Olympics Illinois athlete must keep you busy. What sports do you play?
Brandy: My sports are bowling and basketball. But I like all kinds of athletics.
accessABLE: What will you do to get ready for the USA Games in Florida next June?
Brandy: I will continue to train and strengthen with my coach for the USA games, I will continue to eat and drink as healthy as I can.
accessABLE: Have you ever been to Florida? What do you think it will be like to go to the USA Games?
Brandy: I have not been to Florida. I think it will be amazing and fun. I will meet a bunch of new people. Special Olympics has made me very proud of myself and my accomplishments.
accessABLE: Thank you, Brandy, for being an IL ABLE Account Owner and good luck at the USA Games!
In September, Treasurer Frerichs had the great pleasure of surprising Brandy with the news that she had been selected to represent Team Illinois at the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida. You can watch the surprise [reveal here].
For our readers and Special Olympics families: Did you know that many of the costs of equipment, training and transportation can be covered by funds you save in your IL ABLE account? Just like Brandy, you or your athlete can open an IL ABLE account. Learn more about IL ABLE here. Find quick answers to your IL ABLE questions with IL ABLE FAQs