Fitness creates a unique bond, particularly for the dynamic duo and fitness leaders, Beth Donohue and her mom, Gina Donohue.  

Gina, a dedicated fitness instructor and advocate for health and wellness, sought activities to strengthen her bond with Beth, who was born with Down Syndrome.  Gina recognized that involving Beth in fitness was the perfect starting point.

“It was just something to really do together,” Gina explained. "I just wanted to show her how empowered becoming more fit has made me."

Gina observed Beth's enthusiasm for attending her Zumba classes, which eventually led to their first step into the professional fitness world by becoming certified Zumba instructors. And from this point on, Beth fell in love with health and wellness, just like her mother.  

After witnessing Beth’s profound love for fitness, Gina felt inspired to extend her impact to more individuals with intellectual disabilities. Given Beth's extensive 25+ year journey as a Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete and Gina's deep involvement as a parent, they believed leveraging this platform would be ideal for encouraging others like Beth to embrace health and wellness.

For the past decade, the mother-daughter duo has led an inclusive fitness bootcamp at the Special Olympics Massachusetts headquarters in Marlborough, MA. The group, consisting of about 12 to 15 individuals of all abilities, gathers weekly to enhance their health and wellness.

Beth and Gina create upbeat music playlists and prepare exercises, including activities like weightlifting, basketball drills, and yoga. They guide the group as a team, teaching valuable lessons to Special Olympics athletes on maintaining an active lifestyle even in the off-season. By popular demand, Beth and Gina even established a walking club to encourage Special Olympics MA athletes to stay active outdoors throughout the summer months.

“I try to make people in the class understand that fitness is really good and teach them how we can get more flexibility,” said Beth. “Even though we need help sometimes, I know that for a fact they can do it.”  

Reflecting on how fitness has transformed Beth’s life, her mother shared, “Over the years Beth has gotten a stronger voice and is quick to help people when they’re new.”  Gina also emphasized that peer engagement and self-confidence is key to teaching an all-inclusive fitness class.

Health and wellness have not only strengthened Beth physically and emotionally; the journey has also deepened the bond with her mother.  

“It’s a very warm and centered feeling to know it’s something we can share together,” said Gina. “It’s just something we can enjoy together and make an impact together and that’s a very special thing.” 

Gina has turned fitness from a personal hobby into a community-wide initiative, beginning with her daughter Beth and extending it to the entire Special Olympics Massachusetts community. And thanks to partners like Pont32Health, a Point32Health Company, Special Olympics Massachusetts can offer fitness opportunities to athletes with and without intellectual disabilities like the ones provided by Beth and Gina.  

Inclusive health content is sponsored by Tufts Health Plan, the Official Health Insurance Partner of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Tufts Health Plan and Special Olympics Massachusetts are dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles through resources that support individuals with and without intellectual disabilities. To learn more, head to tuftshealthplan.com

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