News & Media

Brian Reale is getting ready to participate in Over the Edge for the second time. Despite being “deathly afraid of heights,” he refuses to let that fear stop him from supporting Special Olympics Connecticut. Over the Edge will take place on August 28 at Mohegan Sun’s Sky Tower. 

Last year was Reale’s first time participating in Over the Edge. The experience, however, did not diminish Reale’s “healthy fear” of heights. In the moments leading up to his turn at Over the Edge, Reale was encouraged to look over the side to see how high up he was. Reale quickly refused. However, when the time came for Reale to rappel, one quote crossed his mind: 

“You either go, or you don’t go,” said Reale. 

Reale said that two things provide him comfort: the team rappelling with him and the safety measures. Reale said that participating alongside his team makes the experience easier and knowing that assistants control the safety rope provides extra reassurance. 

“Even if I do something stupid, they’re going to save me,” said Reale. 

Reale is an employee of Eversource, one of Special Olympics Connecticut’s Year-Round Partner Sponsors. He was inspired to put together an Over the Edge team with his coworker, Paul Russell. Last year, Reale and Russell competed to see who could raise the most money. The two often asked their coworkers for donations because Eversource matches charity donations of at least $100. They even raced to contact the same coworkers first, hoping to secure matching donations before the other did. 

Last year, Reale’s team raised enough money to attend the Over the Edge pre-party, which was held the night before Over the Edge. This was where Reale met Global Messenger Matt Glad, and the two formed an immediate connection. Reale and Russell have kept in contact with Glad for the past year and are putting together a gift for Glad to give to him at this year’s Over the Edge event. 

Over the Edge isn’t Reale’s only involvement with Special Olympics. He has been giving back to Special Olympics for the past 15 years by participating in Penguin Plunges. Reale's Penguin Plunge team always takes an enthusiastic approach to the event. They would dress in elaborate costumes — fake military uniforms, feather boas, pink robes. His team would even do photoshoots lying out in the snow and sitting in ice coolers at restaurants, to show how they were “practicing” for the Penguin Plunge. Over the Edge was the next step in Reale's journey of giving back to SOCT. 

“You’re supposed to give back, right?” said Reale. “You get a good feeling when you’re helping out.”