SHINE - A Special Olympian’s Journey

A Special Olympian’s Journey

Timothy P Shriver shared this quote within a message to the Special Olympics movement on the passing of his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Eunice, the sibling of US President Kennedy, was the founder of the Special Olympics movement, the largest organisation dedicated to promoting respect, inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities. Having recognised that people with intellectual disabilities were often stigmatised and unjustly treated, and typically had no place to play, she shared in 1962 via the media, that her sister, Rosemary, had an intellectual disability. This public declaration from Eunice signalled her commitment to create change, and through founding Camp Shriver in 1962 - a back yard summer camp at her Maryland farm which provided people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in sports and other activities - she inspired others to join her. Six years later the first International Summer Games were held in Chicago. The goal was “to put a bright, and very public spotlight on ability, not disability”.

Since then 5.5 million athletes, from over 193 countries, have participated in the opportunities the Special Olympics have provided – through yearround sports, health, education and community building - with the support of 1.1 million coaches and volunteers. One of those athletes is twenty-five year old Kiera Byland, whose story is one of self-discovery, personal growth, teamwork, diagnosis, triumphs, life changing experiences and encouraging others to be the very best version of themselves.

In Kiera’s formative years, and indeed into her early teens, life was especially challenging for her and a world away from what it is today. Kiera attended mainstream school and explains that “I didn’t like school. I’m not very academic. I tried hard but also it was the friendships, the bullying just, I guess, kind of got too much. I didn’t really feel supported by the school....”

In addition, having to attend a plethora of medical appointments further affected her learning and motivation.

“If you have a lot of medical needs as well as going to hospital all the time, surgery or going to meetings or having to see dentists or talking to doctors and things like that it can be really hard to stay focussed. I was saying to them that if I have to do that as well as go to school, it’s hard. So, no wonder I look like I’m falling asleep in lessons or not looking like I want to be there”. Kiera’s mum, Jacqui, added “It wasn’t necessarily that she couldn’t get friendships. She just could never keep them because she never understood the etiquette needed for socialisation.”

Formal diagnoses of a rare genetic condition, learning disability, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia came in stages for Kiera. At age fifteen, Kiera wanted to know why she didn’t “learn like everybody else”, and so she was referred for genetic testing.

As no definitive diagnosis could be provided at that time, her DNA was kept on file. Jacqui then explains “…because technology is improving all the time… they came back and said, ‘Kiera, we’ve found that you’ve got Rubinsteins-Taybi Syndrome, but yours is mosaic because you don’t have any of the physical features’”.

At fourteen, whilst involved in a MENCAP swimming event (swimming alongside horse-riding are other sports she loves and competes in), she was approached by a member of the Special Olympics Team, who learned of her interest in cycling.

By 2015, whilst still persisting with her academic studies, Kiera had, with the support of family and friends, trained hard, sought the right support, and fundraised tirelessly to buy herself a bike and compete in the 2015 Los Angeles Special Olympics World Games. Kiera returned with three gold medals and new friendships established.

Then, in the last couple of years, and with support from her mum, Kiera approached her GP, explaining “I want to know me and I want to understand me.” Kiera had been considered as having “traits” of autism throughout her childhood, however, she then received a formal diagnosis. For her this diagnosis has meant “…its self-growth, understanding. Why I feel what I feel, why I do what I do, why I say how I say it, not necessarily what I mean to say. It kind of comes out. It explains why. When people question why I needed a diagnosis I tell them it is because it means I can get the support that I needed”. Jacqui added “it was almost like somebody had given her the key to a door, which she then opened so she could be herself.”

From the age of twelve other, very special, doors were also beginning to open for Kiera. Accompanying her dad, Brian, to Manchester velodrome, and despite experiencing significant challenges with dyspraxia, Kiera mastered riding a bike. But this was not just any bike it was one without brakes, so “you learn very quickly” explains Kiera.

Since then, Kiera has acquired a plethora of medals and awards, but it doesn’t end there. In 2021, she received the British Empire Medal for services to sport. She said “it was nice…because I got to hear the other stories of why other people got their medals as well. I wore my granny’s wedding suit that she made for herself. She got married in 1955 and I said I want to wear it. I worked very hard to make sure I was eating the right food and trained hard.” Kiera was awarded her medal by the Lord Lieutenant and heeded his words on the day: “he said, you’ve got to work hard, even though you’ve been given this honour. So, I have”

“I just felt happy, honoured, and lucky. Wow, a lifetime opportunity. Who would have thought all the things that I’ve done through my life - starting off in quite a horrible time at the start - but look where I’ve got to and I’m still continuing to do”

While all of this – plus the hours and hours of training and dedication alongside coaches and mentors - is remarkably impressive, memorable and truly well deserved, what is beyond incredible is her passion for inclusion, giving back and championing others to achieve. Kiera is qualified to teach both swimming and cycling.

She explains “I’ve always said that, as a coach, I always want to give opportunities to children, no matter what (disability) they have. It doesn’t matter if it is big or small, it is progression, it is celebrated. If you can feel happy and passionate about it, they will feel happy and passionate about it, that learning space then becomes a positive environment. Children will feed off that…but it’s trying to be calm as well when things happen that you don’t necessarily expect to happen either”. She adds “when they get the correct support… give them the space to let them do their thing, let them thrive and show everybody what superstars they are”.

Recognising others’ strengths and needs, the importance of acceptance, accessibility, person centred approachesnot just within sports, but in society too – is of paramount importance to Kiera. So too is encouragement; when asked what advice she’d give to others interested in sport, she said “give it a try…you never know what you’re going to enjoy” even if “you might do things a little bit differently than other people”

In 2024 Kiera will commence a new four-year role in the Special Olympics as the chairperson of the Global Athlete Leadership Council“even though you have an intellectual disability, there’s so many different ways that you can become a leader” she adds. This important position may involve more globetrotting, attending meetings, giving speeches in front of many people etc. Support from a team of individuals is needed to enable Kiera to undertake this role –including her parents, mentors, PA’s and coaches.

Jacqui adds “…if you took away all that foundation of support, it would come tumbling down, and that’s what people forget”

When asked what this new role meant for her, Kiera said “It makes me feel really proud that my own peers, the athletes, chose me. It’s a big responsibility, but I’ll enjoy it because it means I get to interact with so many different people, hear their journeys, hear their paths. If they’ve got opinions or thoughts that they want to put forward on different projects, about things that the Special Olympics do, then I can be that person to put it forward”.

In her 1987 World Summer Games Message of Hope, Eunice Kennedy Shriver addressed the Olympic Athletes stating

“You have taught us that what matters is not power or politics, weapons or wealth. What truly counts is the courageous spirit and the generous heart.” Kiera effortlessly radiates that message; possessing courage, empathy and generosity in abundance. Sport has provided her with so much, including purpose, confidence, friendship and motivation. Her commitment, not only to her own sports, but to inclusion and supporting others to realise their own dreams, being their voice, celebrating achievements and helping to keep that spotlight on ability, is apparent. She is clearly loved and admired by many, and she is, above all, indisputably, perfectly herself.

About Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome

Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, also known as RTS, is a rare, lifelong genetic condition which affects each individual differently, and to a varying degree. It is caused by a mutation in the CREBBP or EP300 gene, or also as the result microdeletion of genetic material from chromosome 16.

The condition can be, but is not always, characterised by distinctive facial features, microcephaly, broad thumbs and first toes, growth delay in the early months and years and learning disabilities. Additional features might also include heart and kidney defects, eye abnormalities, dental problems and obesity. Contact information Visit