As much as I enjoyed my daily coffee routine, it was the community within the village that struck me most. Athletes of all abilities and backgrounds mingled as equals, moving between the dining hall, lounge areas, and even the laundry room. In this space, the idea of “typical” didn’t exist. It was a beautiful reminder that being different was not unusual here—it was the norm. There was a sense of unity in this diversity, a powerful statement that excellence comes in many forms.…