For Five years, Natasha Stasiuk from Hamilton has hit the links with Special Olympics. “I really like the Special Olympics,” Natasha said. “I feel more included and not judged. I feel like I belong.” Natasha isn’t shy about her autism and auditory processing condition, however she prefers to think of these as differences instead of disabilities. “It’s like a superpower as I call it,” she said, “and it’s what people with autism call it too.”
Natasha’s athletic aptitude was noticed at a young age and it quickly became apparent she was a natural born golfer. She started playing at 10 years old and has dreams of being on the LPGA. “You never know what will happen. People do try to put a downfall on that but I’m going to try to show them a person with a disability can do it.”
That kind of pushback is nothing new for Natasha. “I’ve been judged my whole life, and it hurts. I’ve been told I would never pass high school, I’ve been told I’m dumb.” All the hostility hasn’t stopped Natasha from working toward big aspirations, hoping her education from Humber College will lead to assisting police organizations in serving people with disabilities. “It's wonderful to see people support those with disabilities (or as I call them, differences)!”
In 2023, Natasha travelled to Berlin to compete in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, representing Canada and bringing home the bronze! This victory was in spite of an ankle injury which gave her no opportunity to practice before the tournament. “She played amazingly, and had so many great shots,” said her father Peter who doubles as her caddie. “It was a wonderful experience to be by her side. I’m extremely proud of what she was able to accomplish in tough conditions against tough competition.” Later that year, Natasha won gold in the Special Olympics North America competition.
Outside of Special Olympics, Natasha is also the winner of five consecutive Ontario Disability Women’s Championships and two Canadian All Abilities Women’s Championship tournaments, hosted by Golf Ontario and Golf Canada respectively. She’s also competed in every U.S. Adaptive Open Championship, scoring a medal as winner of her category in 2024 and earning an exemption into the 2025 competition.
Despite travelling across the Atlantic to compete with athletes from around the world, and learning from professionals like PGA of Canada’s Nick Starchuk and Carrie Vaughan, Natasha says her proudest Special Olympics moment was “playing in the level 5 golf qualifier with my friend and fellow Special Olympics athlete, Tess Trojan. We both had some difficulties during the round, but we encouraged each other to do our best. Golf can be tough and it's fun to play with someone who is supportive and doesn't judge.”