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Julio

Around the world, people with intellectual disabilities are breaking down social barriers and showing what they are capable of. Meet Julio, a Special Olympics Athlete Leader who works for Panama's Copa Airlines.

Julio’s first experience in leadership was in 2005 when he represented Special Olympics athletes in a conference in Japan. Later in 2013, he started working at an airline company in Panama, COPA AIRLINES, in the service on board department, which he really enjoys.

He started to get involved with Special Olympics when he attended his state’s special education school and then a vocational state center for people with disabilities. He was 13 years old when these institutions partnered with Special Olympics. It was there that he participated for the first time in a swimming competition and won a gold and silver medal. He then moved on to play football. In his free time, he likes running, going to the movies, listening to music and dancing.

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