Roy Sees Big Picture for Autism Awareness Meet
1/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 26, 2017
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman Sam Roy understands exactly the purpose of the University of Michigan women's gymnastics team's Autism Awareness Meet on Saturday (Jan. 28) at 4 p.m. against No. 12 Nebraska.
The purpose of the meet goes further beyond the two teams trying to post a good score and qualify for NCAA Regionals. It is much more than individuals trying to hit their routines and go for career highs to help their team. The defining purpose this weekend is to increase the understanding and acceptance of autism.
Roy has not yet competed for the Wolverines in her freshman season and has never been to one of Michigan's Autism Awareness Meets, but on Saturday she hopes the fans in attendance walk away with that understanding and acceptance of autism.
"It is amazing that we get the opportunity to do a meet like this," said Roy. "Even just hearing statistics and learning more about autism should help people get to the point where they are not treating someone different just because they look or act differently. It is something all teams should do."
Roy has that understanding and acceptance already after growing up with her Aunt Lynn, who has Down syndrome.
"My aunt holds a very special place in my heart," said Roy. "She thinks she is my godmother which is the coolest thing ever. I have grown up with her my whole life and she is one of the most incredible people I have ever met."
Roy came to U-M from Chesterfield, Michigan, as a walk-on gymnast. Her Aunt Lynn lives nearby and has been a great influence on Roy, who described her as someone who instantly makes people around her happy.
"She doesn't know she has this disease," said Roy. "She thinks she is normal and that is the best thing about it. I want everyone to know that she is normal. Just because she has Down syndrome does not make her lesser of a person."
In October, Roy and her teammates volunteered at the Buddy Walk, an event to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Roy got to make cotton candy to pass out to the kids.
"That experience was incredible," said Roy. "Being able to go to an event like that and help kids who have Down syndrome was touching, especially coming from my family where my aunt has Down syndrome."
The Buddy Walk and Autism Awareness Meet are two ways in which the Wolverines try to make a difference each year. This year, they have also had team members make regular trips to Mott Children's Hospital, they cheered on runners at the Chad Tough run and they adopted a Kids Go Blue Club family to shop for during the holidays.
This weekend the team will welcome Special Olympics of Michigan, Adaptive Gymnastics and Autism Speaks to Crisler Center as part of the awareness meet. Adaptive Gymnastics will perform an exhibition on floor, there will be autism facts available on the concourse and on the video board, and the first 750 fans will receive a free T-shirt. All in hopes of having people leave with understanding and acceptance.
"Don't judge a book by a cover," said Roy. "They can all bring so many amazing things to the table."
• Event Preview: Autism Awareness Meet on Saturday
