Meet Special Olympic China's Yang "Judy" Yan Special Olympics China athlete Yang Yan is a happy, self-confident, outgoing young woman (her English name is Judy). She works part time in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific regional office in Beijing. Coworkers say her smile lights up the whole office. "If Special Olympics had a competition for smiles, she'd be the champion," said one staff member. Special Olympics athlete Yang Yan graced the cover of the July 2004 Chinese issue of Seventeen magazine, one of the most widely read magazines among Chinese youth — the first time anyone with an intellectual disability was featured in such a manner. In an unprecedented opportunity to highlight Special Olympics and build awareness, Seventeen magazine profiled Yan, focusing on the role that Special Olympics has played in building Yan's self-confidence. The article also explored her efforts to build awareness and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities by speaking to students, organizations and corporations. For more Special Olympics athlete profiles, please visit Meet our Athletes. [Photo credit: Reprinted with permission of Seventeen magazine, Chinese edition.] Yan's parents are thrilled; they remember a time when there weren't any smiles. When Yan was 3, she had a serious accident which resulted in permanent brain damage. Her parents treated her as they always had, even sent her to a regular school when it was time, but it became clear that she couldn't learn at the same pace as the other students in her class. Worse, Yan felt rejected by her classmates, who wouldn't play with her, and she became isolated and stopped talking. Finally, her parents enrolled her in Xi Chang Special School, but Yan balked, she was afraid. Ultimately, the school was a godsend — she was selected to compete in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in North Carolina (USA). Yan was elated and spent months in intense training because she had a deep desire to achieve. She won gold and silver medals in gymnastics at the Games and returned to China a new person. She said it was Special Olympics that changed her life. Her parents were amazed; Yan was laughing, talking and enthusiastic about life! They encouraged her to learn other sports as well, and soon Yan was swimming and kickboxing. Special Olympics China athlete Yang "Judy" Yan's passion is telling everyone about Special Olympics, especially people with intellectual disabilities. "Join Special Olympics. It can really make you happy!" Yan began working with the Special Olympics East Asia regional office in 1999. In May 2000, she attended the Special Olympics Millennium March banquet held in the People's Great Hall, and also the Special Olympics Millennium March Torch Run at the Great Wall. These events launched the movement's Campaign for Growth to reach 500,000 new Special Olympics athletes in China. Special Olympics Global Ambassador and California (USA) Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Yang Yan, along with China Disabled Person's Federation Chairman Deng Pufang (seated, right) at the Millennium Monumnet in Beijing, China on 14 November 2005. They are celebrating Special Olympics China's five-year goal of reaching 500,000 athlets by 2005. [Photo courtesy China Daily CEO Roundtable] In 2004, Yan was selected to appear on the cover of the Chinese issue of Seventeen magazine, a "first" for a Special Olympics athlete in China. It was an unprecedented opportunity to build public awareness of Special Olympics. The article explored her efforts to build acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities by speaking to students, organizations and corporations. Recently, Special Olympics East Asia organized an event for special school students at the ASA Web School in Beijing. Yan participated as part of the staff and as an athlete. "I never thought I could help people, but when I realized that I could, I couldn't help giving back for what other people have done for me," said Yan. In addition to working as an assistant in the Special Olympics East Asia office in Beijing, Yan is learning English. Despite her busy schedule, Yan always seems to find the time to do all the fun stuff too — like hang out with friends, listen to music and, of course, shop. But her real passion is telling everyone about Special Olympics, especially people with intellectual disabilities. "Join Special Olympics. It can really make you happy!" Yan is living proof of that. Return to main Celebrating Growth page