Maciej Litkowiec’s teaching career began in physical education, but a job change that included a switch to adaptive physical education soon set him on an unexpected path that led to Special Olympics. “I love the athletes. I deal with students with intellectual disabilities on a daily basis and I just love it. I could go on and on,” said Litkowiec. Maciej first got connected with Special Olympics in 2007, helping to coach at the local and state levels. Then in 2010, Michigan named him its head aquatics coach for Special Olympics USA Games in Lincoln, Nebraska. A year later, Maciej joined Special Olympics USA’s aquatics coaching staff for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. He was also part of the coaching staff as an assistant alpine skiing coach for Special Olympics USA at Special Olympics World Winter Games Austria 2017. And now, a third World Games opportunity awaits him as an assistant swimming coach for Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. “It’s an honor. I can't wait to see all of our athletes compete. They just have a phenomenal attitude and you can learn from them being positive, being persistent, so that’s what’s keeps me going.”