As the world tunes into the 2024 Paris Olympics, Brightview is proud to celebrate some of our Olympic connections!
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Residents and associates at Brightview Columbia are preparing to cheer loudly for American hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The Paris games are Sydney's third Olympics, and she won 2 gold medals in the 2020 Tokyo games. Sydney has broken her own world record several times and currently holds the fastest time for the women's 400-meter hurdles.
Sydney will have many Marylanders watching, including her grandparents, who reside at Brightview Columbia, Colonel Ira Snell, Jr., and Gertie Snell. Sydney's sister-in-law, Raquel Levrone, is the Health Services Director at Brightview Columbia, as well. Gertie has arranged a viewing party for the residents and family members at Brightview Columbia. Please join Raquel, Ira, and Gertie in cheering Sydney on! You can watch her races on August 4th (preliminary), 6th (semi-final), 8th (final), and 10th (4x4 relay) on NBC or Peacock.
Richard Walen
Richard Walen found his love for swimming when he was three years old in his community pool. His community pool had a shallow and deep end which was separated by a rope, at just three years old, Richard swam under the rope with his father.
“There are so many other Richard surprises. I hope all will keep in mind that people on the autistic spectrum have capabilities beyond what we expect,” shared his mother, Joan.
Richard and his family are from Baltimore and moved to Glyndon to be closer to a special ed elementary school. He moved to Towson to live in his own place at 22 years old.
Richard has been swimming with Special Olympics for four years. He has won gold for back stroke and silver for breaststroke, along with other gold and silver wins in recent years. His favorite aspect of swimming is that it is refreshing and hard work. Another sport he enjoys is snow shoeing, which he also participates in with the Special Olympics. His other hobbies are collecting CDs, as he has a strong love for music. He also enjoys weightlifting, where he lifts three times a week at the Towson Y.
He takes pride in keeping his apartment neat and is an expert at making his bed every morning. His mother, Joan, shared that Richard follows the advice of Admiral William McRaven: the little things matter, such as making your bed in the morning, which starts your day with an accomplishment.
Richard has been working with Brightview Mays Chapel Ridge since 2023 as a Hospitality Assistant. He shares that his favorite part about working at Brightview is that everyone smiles at him.
“I thank everyone at Brightview for understanding neurodiversity and for giving Richard acceptance, purpose, and a smile each day,” shared Joan.
Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village™, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Schedule a personal visit to experience our communities firsthand.
