Elisabeth "Lizzy" Baril from Red Deer recognized as Special Olympics "Champions of Inclusion" ambassador. (Supplied)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Jan. 28-30: Tim Hortons "Choose To Include" donut

Red Deer’s Lizzy Baril recognized as Special Olympics’ “Champion of Inclusion”

Jan 25, 2022 | 4:10 PM

A Red Deer woman is being recognized as a Champion of Inclusion with Special Olympics Canada.

Special Olympics swimmer and coach Elisabeth “Lizzy” Baril is one of a few athletes being acknowledged for helping to create more inclusive communities across Canada.

“It’s still a shock to me. All of this that has come up this week, I don’t know how to describe it. I’m very honored,” said Baril.

The award also celebrates the launching of the “Choose To Include” campaign this week. Special Olympics Canada and Tim Hortons have partnered to create a fundraising donut, sold for $1.69 plus tax from Friday, Jan. 28 to Sunday, Jan. 30. All proceeds go towards helping to expand the quality, opportunity and accessibility of Special Olympics’ daily community sport programs to Canadians with an intellectual disability.

Baril was born with a heart condition known as tetralogy of Fallot, affecting proper blood flow. Alongside, she was then diagnosed at around 12 years old with 22q11 deletion, leading to an intellectual disability.

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Over the past year, she has participated in PEAK (Provincial Exercise and Activity Knockout), a virtual program that brings athletes together online to create fitness goals and virtual training sessions as a complement to traditional, in-person programming. In previous years, she has promoted the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), an event where officers run to raise money for Special Olympics.

“It makes you feel better in your day when you’re active and it’s good for your heart. It keeps the heart strong and a reason to be with people and get out there and be in community,” said Baril.

Special Olympics Canada is part of an international movement dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with an intellectual disability through sport. Their vision is that sport can open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities to create inclusive communities all across Canada.

There are more than 41,000 Special Olympics athletes across the country, supported by more than 17,500 volunteers, including more than 12,000 trained coaches.

“The need for funding to help our community prepare for the safe return to sport for Special Olympics athletes and volunteers is urgent,” said Sharon Bollenbach, CEO of Special Olympics Canada. “People with intellectual disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and limited access to social and physical activities have played a major role in the challenges our community is facing. Every ‘Choose To Include’ donut purchased for our cause makes a difference and we look forward to seeing Canadians take part in our movement.”

Tim Hortons and Special Olympics Canada team up to launch limited-edition “Choose To Include” donut in support of Special Olympics programs nationwide. (Supplied)