Introduction"Shadows Behind the Medals"

Introduction

"Shadows Behind the Medals"

When people hear "Special Olympics," they think of medals, smiles, and community.
But behind the bright banners and inspiring slogans, a different story unfolded for me — and for many others who were simply forgotten.

This is a personal story.
It’s about trust, friendship, and loyalty — and how slowly, almost without noticing, an organisation meant to support us began to divide us.

It’s about Josephine, my closest friend for years, who once had the key to my home and the freedom to come and go as she wished.
It’s about simple routines — meals shared, TV shows watched together, quiet company — that made tough times a little easier.

It’s about the promises Special Olympics Ireland made, and the growing culture inside the Wicklow club that seemed more focused on control than care.
How friends were discouraged from visiting, how volunteers were pushed out for asking questions, how athletes like Josephine were left struggling — even skipping meals to afford club fees — while the leadership kept smiling for the cameras.

It’s about lonely weekends in an empty house.
It’s about a National Collection Day where just two people sorted 6,000 buckets for an entire island, with little help and even less thanks.
It’s about the countless quiet moments of realisation: Something isn't right here.

This book isn't here to attack anyone.
It’s here to tell the truth.
The truth that behind every medal, there were shadows too — and voices that went unheard for far too long.

I’m one of those voices.
This is our story.
This is Shadows Behind the Medals.

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