By Jena Carr
Belmont’s Brooke Greenhalgh has returned from Germany’s Special Olympics with bronze in her pocket.
Brooke, who has an intellectual disability, recently represented Australia during the Special Olympics’ tenpin bowling competition held in Berlin from June 17 to 26.
Mum Carmell Greenhalgh said Brooke won two bronze medals and a fourth-place ribbon during the trip, and everyone enjoyed themselves.
“I think once she settled down over there, she just enjoyed meeting different people and got on extremely well with everyone,” she said.
“She had a fantastic time, and for people with intellectual disabilities to go somewhere like that is entirely out of their comfort zone and enjoy themselves, it’s wonderful.
Ms Greenhalgh said her daughter was the only person from Geelong in her team, which included one bowler from Melbourne and two from New South Wales.
“There were 65 Australians that went over with the team from the whole of Australia and my husband, and I flew over a couple of days later and watched her win her medals,” she said.
“It was an extremely big thing and during the opening ceremony as soon as they said Australia and the team came in, the stadium just erupted which was absolutely fantastic.”
Ms Greenhalgh said Brooke “absolutely loved being in the village with the athletes” and that the Australian team felt welcomed.
“Brooke said her, and a few (team members) were outside, and some children came up and asked them for their autograph, so she thought that was really good,” she said.
“She stayed a few extra days, and we just took her around where before she was with the team and didn’t get to see too much.”
