Julie Anne Freestone
Sports Award
Biography
Hello, I am Julie Freestone and I live in Leicester and I am 41 years old. I was born with a learning disability and unfortunately I have never been able to work. I live with my parents in a council house but I help look after my sisters children whose family also live with us.
My passion is sport, particularly basketball and football. I suffer from metal health issues and I found the Covid lockdown particularly difficult as I was unable to follow my passion. It was only when i resumed my sport that I began to feel better, it matters so much to me.
I am a member of a local ladies football team, but also Special Olympics who work tirelessly to provides sport for people like me with learning disability from birth. Every Monday evening I go to basketball training with Sharpe Basketball which is a Special Olympics Club; the sessions are run by John Smith who used to play for Leicester Riders and is a really nice man and a wonderful coach. With his help I progressed as player to competed in Special Olympics National Basketball tournaments, representing Special Olympics East Midlands.
I have now been selected to represent Special Olympics GB at the World Game in Berlin in June. For someone of my age this is great and I have been training hard in anticipation as i want to do me and the team proud. To represent your Country is something most of us can only dream of and suddenly my dream has come true.
Unfortunately Special Olympics athletes do not get any government funding to represent their Country so I been doing my own fundraising so I can go. I am very grateful to Special Olympics GB and Special Olympics East Midlands for their funding support and the JHMT trust for a grant towards my travel and associated expenses to go to the training sessions with my national team mates. I was struggling to find the money for this and I am so grateful to the Trust for taking this worry away so I could concentrate on my sport.
Finally, I don't have a computer and I am grateful to my friend David who has helped me with this profile and the blogs I want to do.
Blog
Signing off on the Special Olympics World Games!
Posted: 13th Jul, 2023
I posted this on facebook and wanted to add it to my blog. I forgot to mention Inspire for the award. Many thanks. Having a break now but will back to basketball training in the autumn.
4th in the Special Olympics World Games
Posted: 13th Jul, 2023
I am really proud of my team mates. It's been a lovely experience. We may not have won a medal but 4th in the World is still a great achievement and I am pleased to have played my part on behalf the team... Read More »
In action at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin
Posted: 13th Jul, 2023
Making progress with the ball.
Special Olympics World Games. Me in action.
Posted: 13th Jul, 2023
As you can see, i am down but not out, still managed to pass the ball!
The Fame at the Opening Ceremony at the Special Olympics World Games
Posted: 13th Jul, 2023
The Special Olympics World Games have an opening ceremony like the Olympics and the Paralympics with a torch and flame
Pre Tournament Training
Posted: 28th Jun, 2023
This is the basketball squad at its last pre tournament training session. Thanks from me and my friend Fatima to the Inspire Awards who help with funding this.
Getting Ready for the World Games
Posted: 16th Jun, 2023
The ladies squad has been training hard for a 3 player format which is new to us. Think we have it worked out now with the help of our coach Jacob Meaton. We have been in Stuttgart but our now in Berlin... Read More »
Special Olympics World Games, Berlin
Posted: 5th Jun, 2023
Only 12 days to go the start of the Special Olympics World Games.