The Jensen Family’s Moment

“We just hope that people will open their eyes and see how incredible these kids are, how much they have to offer—even if they seem a little different—and how much good you can get out of being their friend, too.”

Sam was the 9th person in the world diagnosed with HIVEP2, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. From an early age, he defied expectations—finding purpose and drive through sports, which became his gateway to connection and achievement. His presence has profoundly shaped the entire Jensen family, who say they’ve become better parents and siblings. Because of Sam, they see the world through a more compassionate lens. At one point, Kelly and Mark worried that Sam might struggle to find his place in high school. But once they witnessed the impact of Special Olympics Unified Sports® and the way Sam was embraced by his community, they knew he had truly found where he belonged.