Stephanie Beaton

Stephanie Beaton, 23 of Dundee is swims four times a week and loves to swim (and loves football!) Stephanie was terrified of the water but her mother wanted her to learn to swim. So each week she would bring Stephanie down to the pool and watch her refuse to go in. Bit by bit, toe by toe Stephanie finally went in and she hasn't been out since! Stephanie joined Special Olympics in 2003 at 15 years old and was selected to compete in Special Olympics National Summer Games in Glasgow in 2005 winning a Silver and a Bronze, and the National Summer Games in Leicester in 2009 winning a hat-trick of 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze. Stephanie was honoured to represent Great Britain at Special Olympics World Summer Games -- 2011's largest sports event with 180 countries and 7000 learning disabled athletes. The competition was tough but she was pleased to bring home a Silver medal in the 4x50m freestyle. To attend the Games, each athlete had to raise £2000 - Stephanie went door to door in Dundee to ask her local shops to support her while her head coach ran a charity ball. Stephanie and her family organized bingo nights, cake sales, sponsored walks, and her gym ran a fun-day raising £1000 in one day. Her cousin Joe FitzPatrick is a Member of Scottish Parliament and a big supporter too. Other family members include a 13 year old cousin who competes for Scotland in karate, and another cousin who was also a Special Olympics medalist. Stephanie belongs to 3 swim clubs and competes regularly at Scottish Disability Sports events including the Discovery Games and Scottish Championships. When she is out of the water she attends Dundee College, volunteers two days a week at a home for the elderly, and attends an advocacy group. This avid Dundee United supporter is football mad!