Brita Hall

How long have you been involved with Special Olympics?

I have been a Special Olympics athlete for 44 years!

How did you first get involved with Special Olympics and how has it changed your life?

I first got involved through my school. Special Olympics has taught me skills, good nutrition, independence, the opportunity to travel, make friends, be a good athlete, learn respect, and punctuality.

What is a challenge or barrier that you have overcome?

I had to stop alpine skiing because I have mono vision and could not see all the gates. So the coaches suggested I try cross country skiing and that has worked out extremely well for me. It has taught me that if one sport is not satisfactory or too difficult then there are many more sports in Special Olympics to try out and join.

What has been your favourite memory with Special Olympics?

My proudest moments are when I succeed and win medals at the competitions. It is great to see athletes again from other parts of Canada at National or International competitions that I skied with before and make friends with them again.

What has participating in Special Olympics taught you?

To be punctual at work. To respect my colleagues. My colleagues are proud of me and my achievements in my sports.

What does being part of Special Olympics Team Canada mean to you and what is your goal for Turin?

It makes me happy and proud to be a member of Team Canada. My goal is to train hard and hopefully win a medal in Turin.

What do you want people to know about athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

That we can do anything in sport that we want to do and succeed with hard training and with the help of our coaches.

What would you say to someone thinking of getting involved in Special Olympics?

Come and join our clubs. It is so much fun and we learn so much.