HCLN YEARBOOK 2005

Special Olympics in Nagano

By Julie-Lynn Stanhope
Keshen Goodman Library Program

I was picked to go because I had won a gold medal in pairs figure skating at Nationals in PEI in 2004.

Julie-Lynn Stanhope with her
gold medals from Nagano

I had very bad luck last October, an accident at practice. I tore a ligament and soft tissue and broke my anklebone. The screws from the surgery didn’t come out until January.

When we arrived in Okaya, we were adopted by a Japanese family. We ate sushi salad, apple pie, ice cream - all Japanese style and we had a green tea ceremony. We visited an elementary school and a temple. When we left Okaya, the people were so sad to see us go, they ran after the bus.

Then we went to Nagano. At the opening ceremonies, we saw the Prince and Princess and a sumo wrestler. I won gold medals in singles and pairs.

When I came home, lots of people congratulated me. I am so glad I never, never gave up on my dream.