LOCKDOWN INSPIRES MEGAN TO FUNDRAISE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Megan and Jeremy

After her son Jeremy was left socially isolated during lockdown, Megan Bray is challenging herself by competing in the Round the Bays in Wellington and fundraise for Special Olympics who helped Jeremy reconnect with friends and the community.

“I like to tell people that my son is an Olympic athlete” Megan says. Specifically, a Special Olympics athlete. Jeremy has been training and competing in ten-pin bowling, golf and swimming with Special Olympics New Zealand for the past 15 years. The 26-year-old was born with Down syndrome, which Megan says has led to difficulties finding activities that he can participate in. “Jeremy has quite a few health issues and doesn’t speak at all. He likes to spend a lot of time on his own, so it was hard to find activities that he enjoyed and got him to engage with others.” Finding Special Olympics when Jeremy was in intermediate school was a game-changer, and meant Jeremy was able to participate in sports just like any other student. “Some of the things I really value about Special Olympics is that he has the opportunity to engage with the community and make friends, along with the exercise” Megan explains. Training with friends at Special Olympics was part of the weekly routine for Jeremy, until the lockdown in March 2020 halted all public

Megan Bray, with Special Olympics staff Zoe Braithwaite, left, Tristan Mathieson and CEO Carolyn Young, right

gatherings and prevented Jeremy from engaging with his friends and community. “Over lockdown all activities stopped, and when you can’t use Zoom or message people like the rest of us, your world becomes quite small.” “He didn’t understand why you can’t approach people or go to ten-pin bowling” Megan says. The lockdown was tough for Jeremy and when Wellington moved to alert level 1, he was happy to return to training. Megan explains that Special Olympics was aware of the increased risk of New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities becoming socially isolated and aimed to resume regular activities quickly under new health protocols. “After lockdown Special Olympics got quite creative doing social distancing and hygiene with people who don’t necessarily understand the concepts and are more at risk from health issues.” “It made a huge difference to Jeremy when he could resume training, I’m very grateful that Special Olympics worked to keep activities going during this time.” Megan decided she was going to participate in the Round the Bays in Wellington, and fundraise for Special Olympics New Zealand, a charity partner of the event. Megan was elated at the positive feedback. “I’m absolutely thrilled at the response I’ve had to my fundraising page, I can’t believe it.” she says. Megan’s long surpassed her original goal of $500 and received over $1500 to sponsor her walk in support of Jeremy and Special Olympics.