Andrea, a participant of The Arc’s Supported Community Living program, is a busy and accomplished young woman who has worked at Hannaford’s for many years, drives her own car, and lives in her own apartment. At the early age of four, Andrea began swimming at the Montachusett YMCA and became a member of the swim team, The Stingrays, under the former swim team director and coach, Deb. While on the team, she competed both locally and in Boston. At the age of eight, she became a member of the Special Olympics with her older sister Karin as her coach along with Deb from the YMCA. Her training continued at the YMCA as well as the Fitchburg State College Athletic Center.
By the age of ten, Andrea won her first Gold Medal in Free Style swimming. She went on to train at the Lydon Aquatics Center in Danvers, MA with coach Karin and Paul Lydon, a long time Special Olympics affiliate and trainer.
In 1999 at the of 17 she qualified for a spot to compete against other Special Olympic teams from China, Japan, Ireland, England and other children from around the world to be held in North Carolina. Her best and strongest event was the “Butterfly” stroke with an impressive time of 55 seconds for 50 meters. At the competition in North Carolina she won 2 Bronze Medals, 1 Silver Medal, and missed winning a Gold Medal by a fraction of a second. In attendance at the events were Super Stars including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jon Bon Jovi and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Currently, Andrea continues to live an active lifestyle. Although she no longer competes in Special Olympics, she manages her time with work, friends, hiking and Karate lessons. Andrea recently earned her second Black belt in Karate and serves as an active and valued Board Member for The Arc of Opportunity in North Central Massachusetts.