Sports reporter with Down syndrome breaks stereotypes, inspiring others with her work

A sports reporter with Down syndrome is changing the game because of her work from the sidelines.

Lily Goodfellow spends her days sharing other people’s stories; their plays, stats and dreams. But it’s her own story, that is changing the playing field.

She started Special Olympics when she was 4-years-old and by fourteen she had amassed a wall full of medals for soccer, track, swimming, basketball.

To Lily, nothing is insurmountable, including her dream to go from the field to the sidelines as a sports broadcaster.

She will be the first student with a disability to earn a media literacy and journalism certificate from the College of DuPage.

She honed her skills as on air and writing as a weekly columnist for the student newspaper.

Find Lily on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lilyssportsbeat

“I love inspiring other people with disabilities to achieve their goals and also to learn more about their dreams,” she said.

Her reach and her story continues growing through her most recent endeavor, a YouTube channel called Lily’s Sportsbeat where she interviews both professional and athletes with Special Olympic Illinois.

Through Special Olympics Illinois, she has commanded the stage at Chicago’s Duck Derby and  anchored “Gaming for Inclusion.”

She will also co-emcee the Special Olympics Illinois Champions Ball with WGN’s Erin McElroy. You can find information and tickets here.

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