Beth Meyer, long-time resident of Bittersweet Farms and Special Olympian, has been selected to represent Ohio in swimming at the 2022 USA Summer Games. The competition will be held in Orlando, Florida, from June 4-12, 2022.
Representatives from Special Olympics, along with local and national news media, surprised Beth with this momentous news at her home on Tuesday morning. Her fellow residents attended the announcement, congratulating her and wishing her well as she embarks on training for national competition.
When she heard the news of her selection, Beth said with gusto, “Florida, here I come! I am speechless. This is the best gift I have ever gotten! This has always been my dream. I will give it all I’ve got! Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt!”
A decorated Special Olympian in both swimming and skiing, Beth has competed in both sports for decades at the state level and considers her gold medals one of the greatest accomplishments of her life. Having recently celebrated her 60th birthday, Beth is one of the oldest athletes selected to compete nationally in swimming.
Kelley Watson of Lucas County Special Olympics says, “Beth has been with our program for over 30 years and she has always dreamed of being part of the national competition. We have just been waiting for her to be chosen…this is truly a dream come true for her!”
Beth was one of the first residents of Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, and has called Bittersweet “home” for nearly four decades. Bittersweet’s mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism, and since its founding in 1983, its philosophy has emphasized aerobic activity and active lifestyles for all. Beth’s remarkable athletic achievements are the fruit of decades of hard work inspired by this philosophy.
In addition to representing her home state of Ohio, Beth will be representing Bittersweet at the USA Summer Games, and her Bittersweet family will be proudly cheering her on. Bittersweet Executive Director Dustin Watkins says, “This is such an honor for Beth and for Bittersweet. Beth exemplifies everything Bittersweet is about and we know she will represent us well. We are so excited to support her as she trains and cheer her on next year in the national competition.”
For updates on Beth’s training and journey to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Summer Games, follow Bittersweet on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bittersweetfarms or Instagram at www.instagram.com/bittersweet_83. About Bittersweet, Inc.
Since 1983, Bittersweet, Inc. has been serving adults and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders across three locations in Ohio. Bittersweet offers unique supports that encourage individuals with autism to grow and develop their abilities and talents in an agricultural setting. The mission of Bittersweet Inc. is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch.
