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Dorrance Township’s Aaron Keller will be bringing some hardware home from the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
Keller finished the 1,500-meter run in 6 minutes, 45.35 seconds to earn a silver medal in the event. First-place finisher Germany’s Thorsten Faulstich finished in 6:39.57.
“It’s hard to put into words how incredibly proud we are of Aaron and everything he’s accomplished to get to this moment,” Special Olympics Pennsylvania posted on its Facebook page. “And he’s not done yet!”
Keller, 21, will compete in the 1,000-meter run and 4 by 100-meter relay.
Aaron was diagnosed with global development delay, the general term used to describe a condition that occurs during the developmental period of a child between birth and 18 years. It is usually defined by the child being diagnosed with having a lower intellectual functioning than what is perceived as “normal.”
Aaron received physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy throughout his entire school career. A 2017 graduate of Crestwood High School, he is currently a student at Luzerne County Community College through a Luzerne Intermediate Unit program and serves as a volunteer assistant cross country and track coach for the Crestwood High School track team.
To view a video of Keller’s race, go to tinyurl.com/yxqw87au.