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For eight long years, the Anderson family prayed for children. When they learned they were expecting twins, a boy and a girl, they were overjoyed. Luke and Jaycie arrived together, just a minute apart, but their paths unfolded differently.
From the start, doctors noticed something unique about Jaycie. Despite rounds of tests, there was no clear diagnosis. She was nonverbal, faced major developmental delays, and by her first birthday had already undergone multiple surgeries. Still, her spirit was unshaken.
Luke, the older twin, grew quickly into his role as protector and guide. He loved sports, being outdoors, and competing. And Jaycie wanted to do everything her brother did. “She’d ask, ‘What about me?’” her parents recall. For years, opportunities seemed limited until one preschool teacher handed them a flyer for the Special Olympics Young Athletes program.
That simple piece of paper changed everything.
At just three years old, Luke and Jaycie entered Young Athletes together, playing games, singing songs, and building skills side by side. By age six, they had transitioned into the traditional Special Olympics program, competing in track and field, bocce, and bowling. Sixteen years later, they are still competing as Unified partners.
“Special Olympics doesn’t just give Jaycie the chance to do things she loves,” Luke shares. “It gives us the chance to do them together. That’s something so special and almost irreplaceable.”
Although Luke is only one minute older, he has always embraced the role of older brother. “Just being her brother and always having her there has shaped me beyond anything I can imagine,” he said. Learning to communicate with Jaycie in her own way taught him how to love differently, with more compassion and patience.
Their bond is visible in everything they do. When Luke comes home from work, Jaycie is the first one waiting at the bus stop, arms open wide for a hug. They play arcade games, card games like Uno, and, of course, train and compete as a team in Special Olympics.
To their parents, witnessing their growth through Special Olympics has been one of life’s greatest rewards.
“She had a brain surgery, eye surgery, and dental mouth surgery,” said Kelly, their mother. “Fast forward, right, six years, her first Special Olympics. She’s running across a track, and then she sees people and she’s waving at people. Seeing her wave to that crowd and finishing that race was priceless.”
Jaycie has inspired everyone around her to push through life’s challenges.
“She always pushes through. Opportunities with, Special Olympics give her, experiences that we wouldn’t have been able to give her or even thought about even having her try. If she can accomplish things with the battles that she goes through, we should do the same, you know?”
Kimo, Jaycie’s Father
In Hawaii, Ohana means family. But as the Andersons have discovered, it also means much more. It’s a network of connection, belonging, and support. Through Special Olympics Hawaii’s Ohana Task Force, the Andersons found a community of families walking similar paths.
“Ohana Task Force really creates a tremendous network,”said Dan Epstein, Special Olympics Hawaii CEO. “It helps families understand the opportunities and share wisdom with each other.”
For the Andersons, that network became a lifeline. “At first, we were kind of by ourselves,” they recall. “Through Ohana, we met families who told us what worked for them, how to navigate challenges. Special Olympics truly became our hub and our network.”
Today, Luke continues to grow as a young man shaped by his twin sister’s resilience. “He’s just the kindest young man,” said Debbie, Special Olympics Hawaii Task Force President. “To watch him and Jaycie together, it’s inspiring.”
Jaycie, for her part, continues to shine on the bocce court and in every environment that celebrates her gifts. Her motto is simple but powerful, “Love God. Love everyone. Always work hard, never give up, and use your gifts.”
For this family, Ohana is more than a word. It’s a promise, a promise that nobody gets left behind. And in Special Olympics, they’ve found a place where that promise is lived every day.
