Family & Friends Spotlight On... Debra Johnson

When thinking of families, Debra Johnson mother of Special Olympics athlete Roxanne Johnson always comes to mind.   She has been supporting her daughter’s SOAZ sports training for the past twenty years.  She’s coached, she actively participates in the “Athletes in Community Events” program, she is a mentor to the Global Messenger Program, and she has actively participated in the families committee. In her spare time she has attended and cheered on Roxanne at more competitions then can be counted, including two World Games competitions and at the

First National Games held in Ames, Iowa last year. 

Debra said the most compelling moment she has ever experienced happened several years after Roxanne began participating in Special Olympics.  Initially Roxanne was shy at trainings and competitions and it took her a while to come out of her shell. Then at a state-level competition she was running a race and noticed her friend was falling way behind the other competitors so she stopped and waited for her to catch up.   Debra said she believes it was that moment that defined Roxanne as a person.