Mater miracle Karen fights her way to Special Olympics golden glory

A Queensland teenager who was given little chance of survival after being born nearly four months early has defied the odds to compete in the Special Olympic World Games bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals in riding events.

 

Karen, 16, of Rockhampton, won gold in the trail event, silver in dressage and bronze in equestrian.

 

Born 15 weeks early at Mater Mothers’ Hospital and weighing just 824 grams in 2006, doctors gave Karen little chance of survival.

 

Karen defied the odds to compete in the Special Olympic World Games as one of four equestrian riders chosen for the team.

 

She was also the only team member representing central Queensland in the competition.

 

Karen has autism, attention deficit disorder and hypotonia, which means she has decreased muscle tone and increased flexibility.

 

Karen’s mum Suzanne said watching her daughter compete in Berlin was an “extremely proud moment”. 

 

“Karen set her goal five years ago and made it. It just shows when you want something you can achieve it!” Suzanne said.

 

“Karen is my little miracle … I am so proud of her, she has had some big challenges.”

 

Karen said she competed at the Special Olympics not expecting to win any medals.

 

“To come home last weekend with one from every event was more than I could ask for,” Karen said.

 

“Even if I didn’t get any medals, I am happy with how I rode. The experience was wonderful.

 

“I am still amazed that I have been able to compete in the Special Olympics. I’m going to continue to ride and see what happens next.”

 

After experiencing a haemorrhage three weeks before Karen was born, Suzanne will never forget holding her pint-sized baby for the first time.  

 

“She weighed as much as a coke bottle and her tiny nappy would fit in the palm of my hand,” Suzanne said.

 

She said Karen started horse riding five years ago after an occupational therapist suggested it and developed a passion for the sport and bond with animals.

 

Mater Neonatologist Dr Elizabeth Hurrion cared for Karen 16 years ago, and said at that time, babies born extremely premature did not survive.

 

“From her tiny start to life, fraught with difficulties, and faced with many challenges through childhood, I am truly impressed that Karen has reached this exciting milestone” she said.