Though her life was cut short, Special Olympian Chelsea Frederick will be remembered for many remarkable achievements, including her triumph in winning a medal on the world stage.
“God took you because he had seen that you were tired, and he wanted you to get your rest,” said Chelsea’s mother, Janice Frederick.
Chelsea, who would’ve turned 23 on 24 Jan., died late last year, following a battle with polymyositis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness and eventually cause them to break down.
Janice bid her daughter farewell with a tribute that noted how kind, selfless and graceful she was.
“Though you are no longer with us, your legacy of love and compassion will endure,” Janice wrote.
The Special Olympics Cayman Islands echoed the sentiments for Chelsea, repeatedly speaking of her smile, which could brighten a day.
“Coaches and athletes alike spoke to her quiet strength, her determination, her always giving her best and everyone spoke of her sweet smile that could light up a room or a track,” SOCI said.
Chelsea competed in track and field as a javelin and shot put thrower. In 2018, she had the attention of the international masses after an impactful debut at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
“In the leadup to Abu Dhabi … we saw her potential, her dedication to her sport, how she paid attention to her coaches and her commitment to learning as much as she could to improve.”
That potential and ability to learn translated into two silver medals in her first major competition – a moment that will live on forever to those who witnessed it, like her coach Susan Whittaker.
“She always gives her best in all that she does whether sport or school work,” Whittaker said.
“During the games in Dubai, she gained lots of confidence and gave her all. She’s gone from our sight but not from our heart.”
Following her medal-winning performance in Abu Dhabi, she travelled to Grenada with specialist training coach Paul Philip in preparation for the CARIFTA Games, in which she was projected to earn a medal.
She had also been slated to attend the 2023 World Games. Between focusing on her education and receiving her diagnosis, however, she wasn’t able to fulfil her desire to compete.
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