Crossgar woman looks forward to Olympic role

Crossgar woman looks forward to Olympic role

30 May 2012

A YOUNG Crossgar woman, who has not allowed a disability to thwart her academic ambitions, has been chosen as an Olympic torchbearer.

Michaela Hollywood will be carrying the torch as it passes through Dromore on June 5 as part of its five day tour of Northern Ireland.

The 21 year-old is one of 8,000 torchbearers chosen from across the UK to take part in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay because of a personal achievement or contribution to their community.

Michaela, who has spinal muscular atrophy, uses a wheelchair and depends on assistance from a carer.

Having fought for the disabled access she needed to study the A-levels of her choice, she went on to achieve 14 distinctions in her Broadcast Journalism HND, graduating Student of the Year, and is currently studying for a degree in Public Relations at the University of Ulster.

“I found out I was to be a torchbearer in March,” said Michaela, whose name was put forward by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for her efforts in campaigning and fundraising with the charity despite her condition. “It was the worst kept secret in our family.”

Now delighted to be playing her part along 300 metres of the torch-lit route, Michaela said she would be doing it for anyone who had ever felt limited by a disability.

“I want to show what you can achieve,” she said. “I would like to let everyone know that people in wheelchairs are not defined by their wheelchair, and celebrate what I have achieved.”

With family members lining the route, including several planning to fly over from England for the big day, Michaela said she is now “really, really excited.”

Currently in hospital due to a complication with her antibiotics, she is hopeful, however, of being released in time for the big day.

“I am also looking forward to watching the Olympic Games when they start, particularly the swimming,” she said. “I love to swim though I do not get to do so much now.

“England have two people in their team with muscular dystrophy in the Paralympics, two brothers, so I will be very interested in watching that.”

Michaela is one of the founders of the Trailblazers Campaign, which aims to fight the social injustices suffered by young disabled people. For more information visit: www.mdctrailblazers.org