Tyler Lagasse is a twenty-eight-year-old man living with autism. He has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2002. He has received his associates’ degree with honors from Middlese...view moreTyler Lagasse is a twenty-eight-year-old man living with autism. He has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2002. He has received his associates’ degree with honors from Middlesex Community College in Lowell, Massachusetts, and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He has written and delivered countless speeches on overcoming his challenges and has inspired people to do the same. He lives in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. He competes in golf and alpine skiing for Special Olympics Massachusetts and has received the silver medal for golf at the National Games in both Nebraska in 2010 and New Jersey in 2014. He was featured twice on the television show Golf in America on the Golf Channel. His speeches have made their way to the Internet and CNN. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career focusing on the environment. His hobbies and interests include journaling, hiking, and watching his favorite professional sports teams and athletes compete.
Deborah Lagasse is Tyler’s mother. She is a teacher at Greater Lowell Technical High School. She has a bachelor of science degree and a master’s of education in occupational education from Fitchburg State University. She is married to Ronald Lagasse, and they are the proud parents of Tyler and his older brother, Clint Lagasse. Deborah has worked with many parents on the issue of special needs and educating their children. She has volunteered on various advisory boards for special education and testified before the Board of Education on the topic of special education laws and regulations at the Massachusetts State House.view less