Karen Cimo grew up in the Bronx borough of New York City. In 1972 shortly after graduating from high school, she began working for AT&T in White Plains, NY. During her career with AT&T, one of the transfers Karen accepted brought her to the Atlanta area where she became involved with Special Olympics. She started volunteering in local events in Forsyth county. Soon thereafter, Karen was asked to be on the 5K fundraising committee which planned and coordinated 5K races each year for 8 years. She hosted all the weekly/monthly meetings in her home and also worked on the actual race events. During that time, she became interested in coaching and has done so for the past 10 years. While Karen's personal interest was tennis, the local Special Olympics coaching need was for table tennis and she gladly accepted. "My experience with Special Olympics has been immeasurably positive for me personally. Working with the athletes has enriched my life immensely. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much from each of them. Each of them are truly special individuals." Karen is both privileged and proud to be selected to be the table tennis head coach for the upcoming Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.