the story of my life part 2

2008–2010: A New Beginning with a Hidden Cost

Josephine’s entry into the Wicklow Special Olympics club in 2008 was meant to be a turning point—a space where she could channel her energy, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging. At first, it seemed to be just that. She was welcomed as a new athlete, and for the first time in years, she had something consistent to look forward to outside the difficult memories of Bray and our shared struggles.

But even in those early days, cracks began to appear.

The club offered structure, but it also began to consume more of her time—and more worryingly, her finances. Training sessions, weekend events, and travel commitments added up. I began to notice a shift: Josephine, who once spent weekends visiting me in Dublin, now stayed away more often, citing club duties or last-minute changes she wasn’t comfortable questioning. Still, she remained loyal to our friendship, always trying to balance both worlds.

The 2010 National Games – The Breaking Point

As the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games approached, the pressure inside the club intensified. Josephine and her fellow athletes were informed that if they wanted to take part in the Games, they’d need to pay their outstanding club fees first. This demand came directly from Pam, the club’s sports manager at the time, who was known for her blunt delivery and little patience for protest.

Josephine, proud and determined not to miss out, made a heartbreaking decision: she took out a personal loan.

The club never directly asked her to borrow money, but the system created a situation where she felt she had no other option. She wasn’t alone—others were quietly doing the same, scraping together what they could in fear of being left behind.

She never told her mother about the loan. Instead, she confided in me. I could see the worry it placed on her. She wasn’t just paying for sport—she was paying to be included.

Eventually, the pressure caught up to her. Her health began to waver, and she struggled to keep up with repayments. That's when I stepped in.

I repaid the loan.

Quietly, without making a fuss or asking for thanks, I cleared the debt she couldn’t manage. It was the least I could do for someone who had once given so much to me. But the emotional debt—the one she carried in silence—remained with her.


---

That moment was the clearest signal yet that the system Josephine had placed her trust in was not as supportive as it seemed. Behind the medals and smiling photos were real struggles—hidden sacrifices made by vulnerable athletes trying to hold onto their place in a world that was quietly demanding more than they could give.

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