MOULAM Beth

Classification
BC3 (World Boccia, 08 Aug 2021)

Type of Impairment
Cerebral Palsy (LinkedIn profile, 04 Aug 2021)

Impairment Details
She has cerebral palsy, and speech and hearing impairments. (LinkedIn profile, 04 Aug 2021)

Guide
Christie Hutchings (boccia.uk.com, 17 May 2021)

General
CLASSIFICATION CHANGE
In January 2016 she became unable to throw as her ability to grip the ball had weakened. In May that year, she was reclassified from BC1 to BC3. "[I was] wearing skins for support [top, shorts, and gauntlet] and found that after wearing them for years to play I no longer had the unaided ability to grasp or lift a ball. It meant my overall muscle control and strength had deteriorated because I had relied on the skins to help control my cerebral palsy. This was a catastrophe, I was no longer part of the England squad, no longer a thrower, and felt I had no part within the boccia world. I was no longer seeing friends at competitions and camps and life was challenging. In May 2016 I was confirmed as a BC3 ramp player. From there began what has felt like a long and slow journey back to feeling I am in sight of my dream again. I have a sports assistant who under my complete direction moves the ramp where I want it. I still have control of my body and where the ball goes, and the shot I make, but I am having to learn to work in a slick, seamless team with my assistant." (bethmoulam.com, 27 Jul 2021)

MEETING HER IDOL
She has become friends with her idol, British Para athlete Caroline Baird, who won gold at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games. "I asked my mum for pen and paper and wrote to Caroline to tell her I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. Mum took the letter, re-wrote my illegible writing onto the back so Caroline would be able to read the original words. We sent it off without an address to the town where Caroline lived asking the postman to deliver it. Less than two weeks later a parcel arrived. Caroline had sent me her winning race number, photos, and other Sydney 2000 mementos. Despite the age difference and living hundreds of miles apart, we have kept in touch, met up and remain friends. We first met at a conference when I got to wear Caroline's medals. We met again in 2002 when I was a guest at Caroline's wedding. Caroline was the first athlete with a similar condition to mine I'd come across. I've always believed if Caroline could succeed, so could I." (bethmoulam.com, 27 Jul 2021)