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Milwaukee Scholars Teacher and Son Interviewed by Special Olympics Wisconsin

One Milwaukee Scholars Charter Academy teacher and her son were recently honored at a gathering in late October to share their story of involvement with Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Healthy Athletes program and how it positively impacts their lives.
 
Tami Zwicke, special education teacher at Milwaukee Scholars, and six-year-old son, Cody Zwicke were interviewed by Vince Vitrano, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the program. The pair shared their experience as members of the Special Olympics Wisconsin Family Young Athletes Program.
 
Their interview was featured as part of the annual Champions Together Breakfast fundraiser, which hosted nearly 200 individuals throughout the area to raise crucial funding for the Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Healthy Athletes program.
 Tami Zwicke Special Olympics

“Our first year was really great,” said Zwicke. “It was in person and our son got to meet lots of friends. Our son had never been part of a team, so this was a wonderful experience for him. They learn everything from basic skills such as throwing, jumping, and kicking to balance and running.”
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The family loved being involved in the program and saw tremendous growth in their son. When the pandemic forced in-person programs to close, they were encouraged to sign up for the Virtual Young Athletes, and the Zwicke’s signed up right away. To date, Cody has been involved with the organization for two years.
 
“They taught us activities such as warm-up, main activities, skills, and cool down. As this was virtual, we were encouraged as a family to join in,” she said. “It was really great exercise, fun, and a social outlet as well. Cody grew so much that we were asked to be interviewed for Special Olympics and how it has benefited our family.” 
 
The interview shared a glimpse into the lives of a family raising a child with special needs and the challenges and triumphs along the way. Vitrano inquired about the diagnosis and what that experience was like. “At first it was really scary,” said Tami. “You get a diagnosis like that and you don’t know what your child’s life is going to be like. It’s all new to you as well. So, we’ve been learning as we’ve been going.”
 
The donations raised at the breakfast work to help support more than 9,300 children and adults who are the athletes of Special Olympics Wisconsin. Those involved raise nearly $50,000 for Healthy Athletes during the fundraiser.
 
Watch the complete interview here, beginning at 20:48. Zwicke has been serving as Milwaukee Scholars’ special education teacher since August 2018.