Meritus to Turin: Candi Blessing to represent USA at Special Olympics

Candi Blessing will go from the cafeteria at Meritus Health to the mountains in Turin, Italy, on March 8.

Blessing, 39, of Smithsburg, is a member of Team USA competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games, which will end March 15.

She’ll be making the trip with some help from her co-workers. The Meritus Health Foundation held a raffle fundraiser, with more than $2,300 going toward her expenses.

She has worked at Meritus for 11 years in nutrition services, but she has been competing in Special Olympics for more than 30 years. Aside from snowshoeing, her sports include athletics, basketball and floor hockey. She competed in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in athletics in New Jersey.

“I get to meet a lot of new people,” Blessing said of her involvement in Special Olympics. “We all get along, and I enjoy the competition.”

As for her sport during the upcoming games, Blessing said she doesn’t mind the cold.

“Sometimes my coach makes me dress warmer,” she joked.

She said she is excited for her trip and competition, though she’s a little worried about getting proper rest with the time difference. Italy is six hours ahead of the East Coast.

More than 1,500 athletes from 102 delegations will compete in eight sports in an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity, according to the Special Olympics website for the Turin games.