Pamela “Pam” Laffey of Kennesaw, Georgia, first got involved with Special Olympics coaching her daughter Shannon in 2006. Over the past 13 years, she has volunteered at Chattooga Gymnastics in teaching artistic and rhythmic gymnastics to Special Olympics athletes. She will represent Special Olympics USA as an assistant coach in artistic gymnastics. As a volunteer for Special Olympics, she has assisted in the development of the artistic gymnastics routines from 2020 to 2028. In the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015, Pam served as an assistant coach in gymnastics. In the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, Pam was a member of the committee supporting gymnastics.
Shannon and Pam have traveled the world with Chattooga Gymnastics as part of their inclusive team, which joins athletes with and without disabilities. Their team represented the United States at the World Gymnaestrada and the World Gym for Life Challenge. In 2020, Pam overcame a cancer diagnosis. She continued her work in giving back to the sport she loves through Special Olympics. She is most looking forward to the smiles on athletes’ faces after they compete, knowing they did their best.