Melissa Donoghue: Small person - Big Ambition

Melissa has been selected to represent New Zealand swimming at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games that are being held in Abu Dhabi next March.

This event is held every four years. New Zealand has a team of 64 people - including athletes, coaches and managers - and Melissa feels lucky to be one of them.

Melissa is eligible for the Special Olympics team as she has Seckel syndrome which is an extremely rare inherited disorder characterised by growth delays which result in short stature (dwarfism). There are only around 100 known people who also have this syndrome worldwide.

She does not consider herself to have a disability. She has a “DIFFERENT” ability. She is able to do things that everyone else does, but in a different way.

Since joining the Special Olympics team back in 2007 this has been a huge goal of hers. She has seen lots of her friends and team mates get the opportunity to represent New Zealand at this event and she is am super excited to also have this opportunity.

The only downfall of this competition is that it is all self-funded. She has been asked to raise $15,000 to cover the costs. She is unable to fully cover these costs alone with her training and other commitments.

Any support goes a long way and will be greatly received.