Michael Love at the wheel of the car show winners.
With a big smile on his face, Michael Love described his favorite classic car made famous by the TV show Supernatural.
“A 1967 Chevrolet Impala,” said Love. "This is one of my favorite cars hers. My mom says, 'It's built like a beast and sounds like a beast,' and I agree."
The former Destrehan High School swimmer was having some fun after Saturday's car show for the River Parish Chapter of the Special Olympics Louisiana at Cypress Lakes. He will participate in the Special Olympics World Games next summer as a swimmer.
car show named 1st2nd and 3rd Winners were selected from among 30 participants and awarded with prizes. Unique classic cars are jostling, and motorcycles also appear. Santa Claus also took pictures with visitors, enjoyed music, games, food, and held a lottery.
The weather wasn't perfect on Saturday, but it didn't rain for the show, but it did rain on a cooler day, but it didn't derail the show.
"People supported us," said Connie, Michael's mother. “In the end some people left because of the weather, but they showed up and that’s the point. .
"It's Christmas today and it's been rough with all the storms we've been through. But when people come out and show support and love, it makes me feel better."
Ai said he appreciates the support.
"My mom rebuilt an old Ford Galaxy from scratch," Love said. "It's a mean car."
Connie said her son is well prepared for next summer and is swimming two to three hours each day. She added that he recently got to meet his future teammate.
There's a raffle to go on Love's trip, and the prize is a $750 butcher cut from the reserve's Cox's Meat Market. There are also plans to host another car show in the coming months, with a soccer pool to that end. If you are interested in participating or donating, please contact Connie at (985) 618-.6246.
Love was diagnosed with autism at an early age. He didn't speak until he was about five years old, but he's grown so much since then. He now speaks publicly and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities. He began swimming in the local chapter of the Special Olympics program at the age of six and was competing by age eight.
Love was also a four-year member of the Destrehan High School swim team. He is the Louisiana Health Messenger and Global Health He Messenger and Special Olympics Athlete Leader.
The Special Olympics World Games are held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games. This is a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics. With 350,000 volunteers and coaches, plus thousands of athletes, these World Games have the potential to be the world's biggest sporting event of the year. The World Games will feature his week-long competition with thousands of athletes. Through media coverage of the Olympic Games, the stories and achievements of children and adults with intellectual disabilities are known to millions of people around the world.
The 2023 Games will take place June 17-25.
In Orlando, Love and seven of his swim teammates were among 58 Louisiana swimmers competing June 6-11. In all, he had 5,500 players in this year's games, with competitors from all 50 states and the Caribbean.
Love won silver in the 4x50-yard free relay and bronze in the 50-yard butterfly. He also finished fourth in the 100-yard freestyle.
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