9th November 2026

We are delighted to celebrate the incredible achievements of Thomas (17), one of our young people, who won three gold medals at this year’s Special Olympics in Dublin in the 25m Breaststroke, 50m Breaststroke and Relay events.

Thomas proudly shared his journey to success, reflecting on how swimming has played a major role in his life since joining his foster family at the age of six. Thomas credits his love of swimming to his foster carers (who he refers to as his mum and dad), Helene and Andrew, who first introduced him to the pool.

Helene and Andrew described the remarkable progress Thomas has made over the years. “Thomas has worked so hard to become the confident young man he is today, compared to the scared wee man who came through our door in 2014.”

Foster care has given Thomas a strong sense of belonging and security and he is a much-loved member of the family. Thomas is proud of his identity as a foster child, proud of his birth family, and proud of his disabilities, embracing all the qualities that make him who he is.

Reflecting on their fostering journey, Helene said: “Thomas is one of us. He is part of our family and has brought so much to our home. We are better people for having him as part of our lives. Thomas is full of life and embraces every opportunity he can. His ability to do so is truly inspiring.”

A Passion for Swimming

Thomas’s swimming journey began when Helene taught him to swim. Family holidays spent in swimming pools and at the seaside helped develop his confidence and passion for the sport.

Determined to improve, Thomas joined Strule Dolphins Swimming Club, where he trained under the guidance of Andrew, who is not only his foster carer but also his coach. Andrew recognised Thomas’s talent early on and encouraged him to persevere through the challenges of competitive swimming.

Thomas remembers a defining moment at the age of ten when he finished fourth in a race. “I was disappointed, but it made me want to work harder,” he said.

His determination paid off, and with continued practice and support, he achieved first place and a personal best at the Ulster Games.

Thomas is highly motivated to succeed and dreams of becoming one of the best swimmers in the country. Despite the pressure of competition, he remains focused on personal improvement. He added: “I’m always in my own race. I just focus on doing my best.”

He also described how swimming helps him find calm and concentration. “When I jump into the pool, the water helps me block everything else out. It feels like I’m by myself.” However, Thomas joked that he can still hear Helene cheering loudly from the sidelines!

Success at the Special Olympics

Competing at the Special Olympics brought new challenges, including spending time away from home for the first time. Although Thomas initially felt tired and overwhelmed during the three-night stay in Dublin with his team, he gave himself time to rest and recover.

The following day, he was ready to compete and went on to win three gold medals for his team.

Achievements Beyond the Pool

Thomas’s sporting success extends beyond swimming. In 2023, he joined a Special Olympics football club and has since earned numerous accolades, including Top Striker, Top Goal Scorer and Senior Golden Boot Award (2025).

Away from sport, Thomas is studying Creative Media at college. He enjoys creating podcasts, producing videos and sharing content about Rocket League and sports games on TikTok and YouTube.

Looking Ahead

Despite his busy schedule, Thomas continues to train hard and has already achieved another major milestone. He has been selected to represent Ireland at the Special Olympics World Games in Santiago, Chile, in 2027.

Helene and Andrew could not be prouder. “It still hasn’t fully sunk in that he’ll be going to Chile, but he’s already getting prepared and we’ll be there to support him every step of the way. It’s a wonderful celebration of how far he’s come.”

We wish Thomas every success as he prepares to represent Ireland on the world stage in 2027. We look forward to following his journey and we’re excited to see what the future holds for this talented young athlete and aspiring content creator.

Thank you for sharing your story, Thomas and good luck. We’re all cheering you on!