Maddie shortlisted for a SEND Stars Award

We’re thrilled that Maddie Brian, 14, a #teambromley ParaGames Swimmer has been shortlisted for the SEND Stars Awards under the ‘Proudest Moment’ category.

Maddie has a suspected genetic condition, still under investigation, which presents like Cerebral Palsy, with weakness on one side, plus moderate learning disabilities, including a severe stammer, ADHD, Autism and Pica. Maddie represented Team Bromley at the London Youth Games last year for the first time. 

Maddie didn't know anyone else on the team, so socially it was quite a challenge, but she did so well integrating with the other swimmers, cheering on her Bromley team mates and mixing with the staff. 

When it came to race day, Maddie was very anxious and became overwhelmed, breaking down and crying and refusing to move. We didn’t think Maddie would swim, but one of the Team Managers managed to convince Maddie to go pool side.  She was drawn in a middle lane but was struggling to articulate that it was this that was worrying her. The start of the race was delayed while the Competition Manager calmed Maddie down and asked if she wanted to move to an outside lane. He was so patient with Maddie and this gesture was all that was needed to get her back on track and into the pool!

Maddie smiled the whole length she was swimming as she was so proud of herself and after the race she was so happy! She was overjoyed to find she had won a medal and then to find she had won another later in the overall Bromley Team results.

Maddie didn’t take her LYG medals off for days; they went everywhere with her! The confidence she gained from taking part has been immeasurable and is absolutely what the LYG, and particularly the para events, are all about, she can't wait to represent her borough again in 2024.

The London Youth Games are open to young people who live or go to school in a London borough. Mytime Active is proud to manage and organise the young athletes that represent Bromley in the #LYG.

Good luck Maddie at the SEND Stars Awards, which are being held in November.

More about the awards can be found here