Operation Transformation’s Una a ‘role model’ and inspiration in the community
CLONDALKIN woman Una, who has been hailed a “role model” on this year’s Operation Transformation, completed the final 5km walk in the Phoenix Park last weekend as the series came to a close.
Despite the inclement weather last Saturday, February 19, Una Coates was determined to cross the finish line in the Phoenix Park in front of all of her proud family, friends and supporters.
39-year-old Una, who lives with her dad in Clondalkin, is the first Special Olympics athlete and person with an intellectual disability to feature on RTÉ’s Operation Transformation and has been an inspiration to so many during this year’s series as her motivation has never faltered.
Around 70 people, including athletes, special Olympics staff and volunteers came out on the day to cheer Una on. One special person that came out to walk the 5km alongside Una was her boyfriend, Ross.
“I have to mention Ross because he is someone that has supported me all the way,” Una told The Echo.
“It was brilliant – I found parts of it definitely challenging and the weather was tough on the day. It was a big help having people there to cheer me on and I felt determined.”
When asked what her thoughts were before she crossed the finish line, Una joked “I thought, thank god it’s finished”.
One of the reasons Una decided to participate in this year’s Operation Transformation was to prove that having a disability will not hold her back from anything and to hopefully inspire others in making healthier lifestyle choices.
On the back of her successful journey, Una has been offered a position with Special Olympics Ireland as a health messenger, where she will act as a health and wellness leader, advocate and educator for people within the Special Olympics clubs and the wider community.
Una has been following a food plan from the show that has been made more accessible to her by Special Olympics Ireland and says that she will continue to help her dad make all of the meals as well as continuing her walks, swimming and bowling to keep healthy.
