Blog: “I have met so many friends through ice-skating”
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year. In 2017, we'll be sharing the experiences of disabled people, and those who support disabled people, on their journey to being more active. This week, figure skater Jonathan McSalley, 25, tells us what it means to be chosen to represent Great Britain at the upcoming Special Olympic World Winter Games.
I was born with developmental delay and I am on the global autistic spectrum. I could not walk until I was four years old because I had growth delay, which means one side of my body is shorter than the other.
Even though I have had these difficulties, I have managed to do a lot of things I thought I could not do.
My hobbies are everything to do with trains and trams and of course ice-skating. I started ice-skating two and a half years ago at The Time Capsule in Coatbridge.
I have met so many friends through ice-skating and I have gained a lot more confidence too. I like talking to people and like to make everybody smile.
I was a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow. I worked in the athletes’ village at the front desk inviting all the athletes into Glasgow, showed them all about the village and looked after them.
When I was told that I was picked to go to Austria to take part in the Special Olympics World Games, I was so excited. I want to go to Austria so I can be part of the SOGB Team and win medals for my teammates.
I am very proud to be part of it!
Special Olympic World Winter Games 2017
Jonathan and 20 other athletes with learning disabilities from across England, Scotland and Wales have been selected to represent Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB). 11 alpine skiers and 10 figure skaters will make up the British contingent at the Games. Find out more about each athlete, visit Special Olympics GB website.
Taking place in Austria from 14-25 March 2017, the World Winter Games is one of the biggest events on the Special Olympics global calendar.
If you would like to support any of the GB athletes heading to Austria, please click here to make a donation.
You can follow all the action from GB team at the Games on the Special Olympics GB Facebook page. Follow @SOGreatBritain on Twitter and use #TEAMSOGB.
