Special Olympics Connecticut Global Messenger

John M. Brillante Jr.

Birth Date: November 5, 1978
Home Town: Wallingford, CT
Sports: Power-lifting and Skiing

John Brillante Jr. is the oldest of five children and currently works as a Waste-handler Technician at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in new Haven. He also volunteers about 10 hours a week in the Day Care Center at the hospital. He is a Bridgeport Sound Tiger Off Ice Official helping to keep various statistics during the games. John has competed in numerous sports during his more than 17 years of Special Olympics participation. These include skiing, track and field, bowling, volleyball, swimming and power lifting. Since he has been participating in downhill skiing for most of his time with the Tri-Town team he now tries to help some of the newer athletes and give them the encouragement they need to continue. Coupling his artistic talents and his love for the sport he has designed multiple power-lifting logos which he has had embroidered on some of his own shirts and wears proudly. During competition, John works hard and constantly struggles to beat his previous records. For him though, it is not about winning, or beating his best times or weight records, but he always has fun and enjoys all the volunteers, athletes and supporters alike. John has special memories of competing in the 95 World Games here in Connecticut.

He has been a Global Messenger for 6 years and in that time has had the opportunity to speak on behalf of Special Olympics at numerous functions including fund raisers, volunteer recruiting, universities and children's events. He also spoke at the Knights of Columbus National Convention.

John always says, "Special Olympics is a great place to meet new people as well as hang out with old friends."

Pictured (Left to Right): NBC 30's Janet Peckinpaugh, Global Messenger Jeff DePina, and John Brillante