Often taken for granted, the benefits of employment are abundant. Providing employees with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, jobs are a critical factor in the enhancement of self-confidence and financial independence. For those with intellectual disabilities, the employment gap is massive. The need for disability employment awareness is dire to establish inclusive, accessible workplaces. This National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Special Olympics USA recognizes the significant contributions made by Special Olympics athletes in the workforce.
Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete Lindsay Blagg is one of them. For nearly five years, Lindsay has worked as a tea barista at ExtraSpecialTeas. Cherri and Scott Sanes, founders of ExtaSpecialTeas, developed its concept to empower employees with disabilities, like their son, through the world of tea. Serving more than 50 teas and gluten-free treats, their business is steeped in the mission of inclusion.
“My favorite tea is Blue Skies, because it reminds me of Willie Nelson,” said Lindsay. “I’m a big Willie Nelson fan.”
Behind the scenes, Lindsay assists with baking operations, brewing and supporting their community-based day programs, which offer therapeutic activities for participants to learn, work and thrive in the teahouse. In her full-time position, Lindsay also serves customers from the register and from their mobile tea cart.
“We are open Monday through Friday and make all of our gluten-free baked goods,” explained Lindsay. “We have a tea lab and make our own teas there. Then, we have a tea tasting station. We change the tea every day so that people do not get tired of the same tea.”
“She is also part of our marketing and podcast team,” said founder Cherri Sanes. “Our podcast, ‘Tales from the Tea Cup,’ is on Spotify and Lindsay helps with input for the podcast and interviewing our guests. Last December, Lindsay was our guest.”
Through employment, Lindsay has met many of her closest friends. Their commonalities transcend the doors of ExtraSpecialTeas, as some of her coworkers also compete with Special Olympics Massachusetts. Back in the sixth grade, nearly 27 years ago, Lindsay was first introduced to Special Olympics, and has since trained in alpine skiing, athletics, bowling, softball and tennis. In the Special Olympics World Winter Games PyeongChang 2013, she competed in alpine skiing and won a silver medal. More than a decade later, she is rejoining the Special Olympics USA delegation to compete in alpine skiing at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025.
“I’ve kept in touch with two of the people I went to Korea with,” said Lindsay. “And I’m psyched to have Diane as my coach again, who I had in Korea.”
In preparation for the slopes, Lindsay looks forward to competing again with her previous coach from the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2013, Diane Mikulis of Breckenridge, Colorado. There’s one change she’s glad for – a much shorter flight. Compared to the 7,000-mile distance to South Korea, the distance to Turin, Italy, is almost half that. And while she loved Korean bibimbap, she’s ready to taste authentic, Italian pesto.
Training as often as she’s able, Lindsay loves to be in the snow. For now, she’s focused on improving her technique through gate training, which helps skiers refine their fundamental skills by navigating courses and terrain. Fueling her spirit, she is energized by the complexity, the variability of the slopes. And off the mountain, she’s fueling others’ spirits, one cup of tea at a time.