- When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
- When Ashley moved to Campbell River as a teenager, she decided to give Special Olympics swimming a try. “Once I got comfortable putting my face in the water, I took right off!” she says.
- Over more than 20 years as a dedicated Special Olympics athlete, Ashley has participated in a wide range of sports, and earned the opportunity to compete in three different Special Olympics Canada Games, where she medalled in snowshoeing and track and field.
- What sports do you participate in?
- Ashley currently participates in track and field, softball, bowling, basketball, floorball, swimming, and snowshoeing in the winter.
- What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
- Ashley says her favourite Special Olympics experience to date “would have to be the National Games in 2020. My 30th birthday happened to fall during the Games and they actually celebrated it with me! I then proceeded to shatter all of my old times!”
- Ashley is a veteran athlete who is dedicated to demonstrating integrity and achieving personal bests.
- What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
- Last summer, Ashley competed in track and field in the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games. She overcame health challenges to compete with pride and determination in Prince George, and earned three gold medals and a fifth-place personal-best time.
- Her achievements earned the opportunity to compete in her fourth National Games, as she is currently a member of the Special Olympics Team BC Training Squad working toward competing in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in Medicine Hat.
- “Being part of Special Olympics Team BC means triumph, victory, and standing tall despite adversity,” Ashley says.
- Her goal for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games: “Can I see if I can get myself another best time or best throw? That would be nice!”
- What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
- “Just try one sport, and try several actually until you find your niche,” Ashley says. “The best part about Special Olympics is you’re accepted for who you are.”
- A bit more about Ashley
- Ashley has been a valued Thrifty Foods employee for almost eight years.
- She volunteers on the Special Olympics BC – Campbell River organizing committee to help make local programs and events possible.
- Outside of Special Olympics, Ashley enjoys reading, exercise, games, and “being bossed around by my two cats!”
Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.
In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.
Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.
They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE