Kerri’s road to success at Special Olympics
Scot proves the medics wrong at Special Olympics and is out to add to her prize tally as the Games come to Stirling
AFTER Kerri Mackenzie was diagnosed with learning difficulties and dyspraxia – doctors warned she would probably never be sporty.
But the swimmer and cyclist has gone on to win a host of medals at the Special Olympics.
Now she’s hoping to add to her medal tally by competing in the Special Olympics GB
40th Anniversary Games in Stirling which run from Thursday to Monday.
Special Olympics Scotland provide sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-style sports for all children and adults with learning disabilities.
Kerri’s mum Gillian Ogilvie says competing in the games has made a big difference to Kerri by giving her focus and helping her make lots of friends.
As a youngster, Kerri, now 25, from Midlothian, was thought to be clumsy but was eventually diagnosed with learning difficulties and co-ordination disorder dyspraxia.
Gillian, 52, said: “The doctor said, ‘I don’t think she will be a ballet dancer or play football but she should be OK.’
“We were very concerned as to what the outcomes were going to be for her.”
But Kerri took up swimming at 10 then competed in the Bath National Games in 2013 and won three gold medals.
Gillian said being part of Lothian Special Olympics made her more confident.
In October last year she joined a cycling club – now she’s going to compete in cycling at the Games in Stirling.
Gillian said: “Cycling used to be very difficult for Kerri to do.
“She had no concept of brakes and used to crash into the fence at the bottom of the road and broke her arm when she was six. But her skills have improved.”
Kerri lives with Gillian, her husband Brian, 47, and younger sister Ellie, 14. She also has an older brother, Stefan, 27.
Her dad Stuart will also be cheering her on at the Games. Gillian said: “People can so easily be written off. Years ago, I’d never have dreamed Kerri would be doing the things she does now.
“She also works two days a week in our doctors’ surgery. She absolutely loves it. She’s an amazing young lady and she makes us all extremely proud.”
The opening ceremony of the Special Olympics GB 40th Anniversary Games, hosted by Special Olympics Scotland, takes place at Forthbank Stadium, Stirling, on Thursday.
For more information on the Games, go to www.SpecialOlympicsScotland40.com