Meet Melony Salla- Making A Difference

HOW SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHANGED MY LIFE

By Melony Salla

Have you ever thought of how Special Olympics changes a person’s life? I am writing this article to tell you how Special Olympics has changed my life and how it can change your life, too. As my coach once said, “I don’t know what Melony would do without Special Olympics or what Special Olympics would do without Melony.”

All my life I was made fun of because I have a disability. I learn differently than others do. The older I’ve gotten the more I realize I’m really not any different from others. My disability doesn’t define me. I’m so much more.

My name is Melony Salla. I’m from a small town in Indiana called Fowler. It’s out in the middle of nowhere. When I was in elementary school, I was bullied, so I had no self-confidence, no self-esteem. I was shy, and just didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere no matter how hard my parents tried to help me fit in. It wasn’t until I hit seventh grade that I met Coach Juanita Garten-Ecret, who told me about Special Olympics. She told me how you become part of a team with other athletes who had disabilities just like mine. How everyone encouraged each other to do something they had never done before. It was something that sparked my interest for a change. I finally found someplace where I felt like I belonged.

Needless to say, Special Olympics has become my passion. When I first started in Special Olympics, I thought I couldn’t be anything more than just an athlete. Well, 14 years later I’m still an athlete, but I’m also a leader. I started out as an athlete and worked very hard, participating in all practices, area games, and state games. Then I started helping the older athletes with their events if they needed help. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was slowly gaining confidence in myself. The younger athletes started looking up to me and I started mentoring them. Actually, I thought I was just helping them until my coach said I was their mentor. I never thought people would look up to me. Who would have ever thought that I, the shy, no-confidence girl in elementary school, would be doing that?

In 2013, I was nominated by my coach for the Area Athlete of the Year and won. Being the area athlete allowed my name to be put in the hat for State Athlete of the Year. Sure enough, I was named the 2013 State Athlete of the Year. What an honor that was! That title allowed me to light the cauldron at the Summer Special Olympics in June of 2014. It was very emotional because I was the first athlete from Benton County to ever do the lighting of the cauldron. This is where my journey started to the leadership roles that I have now.

I have really put that degree to use. Taking those classes also led me to the opportunity to teach a class at ALU. I have taught several times and it turns out that I love doing it. There again, who would’ve thought that I would be teaching others?

Shortly after the summer games, I learned about the Athlete Leadership University (ALU for short). In case you didn’t know, ALU is for athletes in Special Olympics who want to earn a degree. There are many different degrees--coaching, communications, etc. An athlete signs up for a degree, takes several classes and then does a project that pertains to their degree. Classes meet twice a year and athletes attend with their mentors. ALU sounded interesting, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it. Even though I was gaining self-confidence, I was still a little bit afraid and didn’t know which degree to go after. The communications degree won. After all, everyone needs to learn to communicate. There was one girl in our class that would start to cry if the teacher even just looked at her. I admired her for trying. She kept coming to classes to earn that degree. Today, you wouldn’t know that it was the same athlete. She has opened up so much and her voice is being heard.

Each county is supposed to have an Athlete Leadership Council (ALC). This council is made up of athletes and a facilitator. The council is to meet at least twice a year to discuss things the athletes want. The topics could range from designing a T-shirt for summer games to coordinating a fundraising event. It’s SO important for the athletes to have a voice in what they want. This is one way their voice is heard. With the help of my coaches, we were able to get an ALC started in our county. I am the chairperson in our county for now. In a few years, I will pass the position on to.

"I DON’T KNOW WHAT MELONY WOULD DO WITHOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS OR WHAT SPECIAL OLYMPICS WOULD DO WITHOUT MELONY."

The state also has an ALC. All the county chairpersons participate throughout the year on Zoom and at the State Conference. A chairperson can bring ideas or any suggestions their athletes have and present it to the state ALC. We also help the counties that don’t have an ALC to start one. We have come up with ideas to help. Within the last year, I was voted the state ALC chairperson. The confidence that I have gained through these opportunities has been amazing.

Last year, I decided to put my name in the hat to be on the State Board for Special Olympics Indiana. Guess what? I was voted onto the board. That has been an experience I will never forget. I was very nervous but with the help of others, Special Olympics has led me to where I am today. I have talked at several of the director’s meetings, made a speech at the VIP lunch at the summer games, co-hosted a halftime dance party, and so much more.

I think the coolest thing yet is that I will participate in the 2022 USA games in Orlando, FL, this June. I will be part of the track and field team for Team Indiana. This is my first time going to any USA games. I’m super excited to go. They are having a million-step challenge for everyone that is going to the USA games (all 50 states). I have been asked to be the challenge leader for Team Indiana. So, I will cheer on my teammates to get their million steps in before May 29th.

Through these past 14 years I have done so many things I never thought I would do. Special Olympics has taught me to speak up for myself and others and so much more. I’ve always said it doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not, you can do anything you put your mind to. The things I have talked about are only a part of Special Olympics. There’s so much more you can discover when you get involved. I invite anyone, with or without a disability, to join Special Olympics and see where it takes you. The journey will be amazing!

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