Just 24 hours after being selected for the Ireland Paralympian swimming squad, Tokyo representative, and Commonwealth and European medallist Barry McClements visited with staff from the South Eastern Trust’s Children’s Disability Forum in Lisburn to share his experience of overcoming his disability as he prepares to take his place in the team.
The 22-year-old from Newtownards took home his first Commonwealth bronze medal in the men’s S9 100 metre backstroke in 2022 securing Northern Ireland’s first ever medal in the pool. He followed this up with a further bronze medal in the 100 butterfly at the recent European games in 2023.
Barry described how he had his right leg amputated above the knee due to a rare birth defect when he was just 10 months old and faced many challenges growing up. Learning to swim at Ards Swimming Club, “a month before” his 10th birthday proved to be his calling card.
“I tried many different sports growing up from cricket, boxing, football and basketball,” said Barry. “I remember being 13 and wanting to stop swimming, to spend time with friends as you kind’ve want to do at that age but my Dad kept me in the sport, to give it one more season.”
Barry continued: “After that I qualified for the European Championships and only missed qualifying for Rio Olympics by one second. I was 14 at the time and that showed me I could get that close at that age.”
Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 was a “dream come true” for the Comber man who is currently in the middle of a packed training schedule and pool timetable.
Barry added: “All the staff today were very welcoming and I hope I’ve gave them some motivation in their roles. This is a Children’s Disability Forum and I grew up with a disability having had my leg amputated at birth so I’ve had experience of the Forum and very glad to come today.”
“I’m very excited for Paris and hopefully big things will happen!”
South Eastern Trust Chairman Jonathon Patton was on hand to thank staff from the Children’s Disability Forum for the, “difference you make to families,” adding that, “Everyone in the Trust and across Northern Ireland will be supporting Barry as he prepares to take his place Paris.”
Head of Service, Children’s Disability Services Lorraine Noade added: “All the staff have participated in the forum this morning to show the work that they do day in and day out. As part of the motivation for staff and to show appreciation for what they do, we were delighted to welcome a special young man, Barry McClements, who spoke about his own motivational journey around disability to become one of the top Paralympian’s in Northern Ireland and who will be representing us in Paris this August.”
