Casey catching a lift to LA in pursuit of Paralympic glory

Casey’s catching a lift to LA

The mum of a young Mullagh athlete who won two gold medals at the 2024 World Para Powerlifting Championships says the sport “changed her life.”

18-year-old Casey Fitzgerald took the competition in Dubai by storm in March securing first place in two categories - the first in her weight category (under 73kg) as well as first place in the overall weight category.

The inspiring athlete also celebrated a new best of lifting an astonishing 78kg.

It is the second time in just eight months that Casey struck gold in Dubai, winning two gold medals in the 2023 World Para Powerlifting Championships last August.

The young woman with cerebral palsy earned her spot on the Irish Paralympic team in July 2023, having secured two gold, a silver and a bronze medal at a competition in Waterford.

Casey and fellow para powerlifter, Britney Arendse also from Mullagh, arrived home to a hero's welcome on their return as supporters turned out to greet the champions at a special event in Park Ri Kells.

However the road to success hasn't always been easy for Casey who, was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia, a type of cerebral palsy when she was 22-months-old.

The teen underwent pioneering surgery in Bristol when she was just five-years -old and has been through many other tough operations and procedures since - but smiles through it all and shows a fierce determination to achieve her goals. Something mum Tracy is incredibly proud of.

“What she is doing only aged 18 is unreal,” said Tracy.

“If you saw Casey three years ago, she never came out of her room, she never spoke to anybody, she never left the house,” she added.

“Her mental health was on the ground. People say to her that she's like a totally different person now.

The Mullagh athlete had pinned her hopes on getting to compete in the Paralympic games in Paris in August, however, strict criteria scuppered plans meaning she will have to focus on the Paralympic games in LA in 2028 instead.

“We are focusing on that now, she has to do four competitions a year to qualify for it and the next one is the Tbilisi 2024 World Cup in Georgia in seven weeks time.”

Casey wants to go as far as she can in the sport but taking part in competitions around the world is a costly pursuit without funding as Tracy explains:

“Every competition costs between four and five thousand euros if it is not funded. I also have to accompany Casey as her carer so it works out very expensive but she has achieved so much against the odds and has not even reached her full potential yet so whatever we have to do to allow her continue on this journey, we'll do it.

“It would be great if there was a business out there who would consider sponsoring Casey or contribute towards the expenses to take the pressure off.

“We are really grateful to my business.ie who manage Casey's website, socials and PR, Kingspan who accepted her to their Kickstart Sports Fund grant of €1,000 and Park Ri who sponsored her flights to Dubai.

“Hopefully the support will continue.”

For more information see www.caseyfitzgerald.ie