Little City Hero: Jim Stelmach

Although Jim battles an intellectual disability, he is an award-winning athlete with over 12 gold, eight silver and four bronze medals. The 27-year-old Olympian has earned medals at each event that he has participated in over the past several years.

Jim plays multiple sports at Little City and competes in Special Olympics such as basketball, volleyball, softball and weight lifting. He pitched in the last softball game that won Little City’s first state team championship! All players wore their gold medals proudly the next week on campus. Whether it is an individual or team activity, Jim is involved with sports year round.

All 24 medals are on display in Jim’s apartment on his bedroom wall. He keeps them there so he can be reminded of all his great achievements and hard work. Jim is a very energetic and competitive individual. He enjoys sports because he is able to challenge himself. If he is not playing a sport, he is watching them as he is an avid football and baseball fan.

"Jim is truly an impressive athlete. His achievements are heroic. He has had to push through barriers that other athletes did not have to fight. Jim is always smiling and does not let his disability derail him; instead he focuses on his abilities," said Little City Executive Shawn E. Jeffers.

 
His favorite sport is power lifting which he trains for all year. He has achieved at least one personal best at each competition over the past two years. Jim most recently earned a gold medal at the state level in power lifting. This allows Jim to challenge and push himself making him stronger both physically and mentally.

When Jim isn’t playing sports, he can be found working at Northwest Community Hospital or in the Fitness Center on Little City’s Palatine campus. Jim has been employed by Northwest Community Hospital for over a year, where he helps with their recycling needs. He works out and trains at the newly renovated Fitness Center, which was developed specifically for children and adults with disabilities, as often as possible.

For more information about other Little City Heroes, visit www.littlecity.org/hero.