Karen has always enjoyed water. The picture shows her in an open air paddling pool.As a baby, Karen always enjoyed her baths and from the age of two she had the benefit of the splashpool at her school. This was shallow, comfortably warm and the teachers made sure that the children really enjoyed their weekly sessions. Later Karen had a few months of hydrotherapy as well , thanks to her physiotherapist. This meant that when Karen started to have swimming lessons in a new public swimming bath near the school, she was confident in the water even though it was much cooler than the splashpool and more than 7 feet deep at the deep end.When she was about 14 she competed in the Special Olympics, not the national one but a London one which later was renamed Supersport. The event was attended by various mayors including the Lord Mayor of Westminster and MP Paul Boateng.Karen won a gold medal coming first in the junior girls swimming race. My camera ran out of film and by the time I had reloaded it , I ws too late to photograph her moment of glory. Instead I got her to stand on the podium again but the others had all gone off to change, so here stands Karen in solitary glory.

She also took part in athletics and table -tennis. Later she posed with some of her friends all proud of their medals

Later on Karen was able to attend the Moberley Sports Centre every Tuesday evening during term time. This is an excellent centre with facilities for a variety of sports and a brand new sensory room. The next picture comes from the Westminster Reporter and shows Karen and her friend Michael in training for Supersport.

Karen was delighted that her college has a pool and swims once a week in the swimming club. Over the year Karen has acquired several swimming certificates and can swim MUCH better than her mother.

Karen also plays basketball, table tennis ,mini-golf, tenpin bowling, darts and mini golf.

Karen goes to the Paralympics.|

She also received an award for taking part in part of the Duke of Edinburgh's award. She was not willing to do the eleven mile walk , which was the expedition part but we hope one day she will complete it.