Peer support worker, Clare leaps for gold at the World Masters Championships
Courageous Clare Gratrix, Autism Peer Support Worker in our Forward Thinking Birmingham service, has won a gold medal in her first World Masters Indoor Athletics Championship in Gainesville, Florida.
In March this year, Clare, aged 47, took on the World Masters challenge, after becoming British Masters W45 high jump champion in February. The World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships is a track and field competition for athletes aged 35 and older.
Clare, who is autistic returned to athletics in 2021, after hanging up her shorts after leaving school 25 years previously. Clare bravely decided to train for the high jump in the Masters Athletics Community. Athletics supports Clare’s fitness and gives her a focus outside of caring for her daughter, who also has additional needs.
Clare shared her thoughts on the challenges she experiences with autism: “It was overwhelming at times, being autistic, travelling alone, the lighting in the arena was very bright and it was a very loud and echoey environment.
“With the assistance and support of my teammates, I managed to overcome these sensory challenges.
“It was shocking to come first, in a very tactical competition, that involved holding my nerve and getting a personal best height of 1.40m.
“I am never able to clear my head and intrusive thoughts such as song lyrics often pop in at inappropriate times, a bit like Dan Ackroyd’s character Ray in the film Ghostbusters, when he thinks of The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
“Before each of my jumps, the song ‘Baby Shark’ kept popping in my head which was really annoying.
“I never expected to be World Champion, but I wanted to share this, people often see negative traits in autistic people and our strengths often get overlooked. My persistence and following technique instructions has enabled me to develop as a high jumper, even at my age.”
A massive congratulations to Clare, thank you for sharing your experience. We wish you all the best for the future.