By Daren Jenkins
For Special Olympics athlete, Veronica Diaz Rainieri, anything and everything is possible for everyone. A two-sport athlete in swimming and skiing, Diaz Rainieri is an inspiration for the youth in her native country of the Dominican Republic.
“We are going to schools in my country and sharing to the youth that everyone has an opportunity”, said Diaz Rainieri. “Whether you want to play basketball, swim or sing, if you practice you can do it.”
Currently studying for a Diploma in Labor Skills at Andres Bello University (UNAB) in Santiago, Chile, Diaz Rainieri spends her time between semesters working with the Unified Schools project in the Dominican Republic. She has traveled to Turin, Italy for the Winter Games with Unified partner, Lauramaria Montas Arbaje, and Adult Mentor Rafael Diaz to share the great work that is happening in the Dominican Republic. The Unified Schools project was created to build more inclusive school communities in the country, where all young people, with or without intellectual disabilities, can actively participate and feel valued by developing youth leaders.
“We go to schools and align teachers, families, and students to spread the message of how important it is to welcome everyone, and everyone has the same opportunities,” said Montas Arbaje.
One of the core values of the project is leadership, where Diaz Rainieri encourages the youth in her country that they can be anything they want to be. Diaz Rainieri is living by the motto of anything and everything is possible. She learned to ski as a child while visiting the United States and recently won a gold medal in a 50-meter swimming competition at UNAB.
“Veronica loves being a part of this program and she brings great energy with her work. She has the desire to empower and create awareness for everyone,” says Diaz. “I began as a mentor for her, but sometimes because of her positive energy and inspiration she feels like a mentor to me.”
Now on track to finish her undergraduate degree in December of this year, Diaz Rainieri will begin a master’s program next year in business at UNAB with a goal of starting a fashion line in the future. While studying to obtain her Master’s degree, she will continue to train in swimming to prepare for the 2027 Special Olympics Summer Games which be held in a place she is very familiar with, Santiago, Chile.
