Care experienced teen Bebe, from Essex, has sights set on 2024 Paralympics in Paris

Bebe has been in foster care since she was 10 years old, and has been living with her current foster carers, Mick and Pauline, since 2017.  

When we met at their local athletics track, there is a strong sense of pride in the air. This is from Bebe wearing her Team GB athletics kit, and Mick who explains ‘Bebe’s running times are exceptionally fast for a Paralympian runner – she is ranked fourth in the world for the 100-meter distance, with a personal best time of 13.93 seconds.’  

Whilst the 2024 Summer Paralympics seem a fair way into the future, it is something Bebe has her sights set on. Since earning her place in the Team GB athletics squad in 2021, she is working towards representing the team at the games in Paris.  

Bebe has been through more than most athletes, as she has a disability which qualifies her for the ‘T44’ category, where athletes have impairments such as below knee amputations or reduced function in one or both legs.  

These classifications are made for athletes competing in a disability sport, who are grouped together with other athletes with similar conditions, ensuring fair competition amongst the group.    

In Bebe’s case, she was born with a club foot – a condition where a baby is born with a foot or feet that turn in and under. Having undergone 21 surgeries associated with her condition, Bebe explains how her disability affects her in day-to-day life: ‘I can’t walk very far and when I do, I get cramps and an ache, where my foot turns in as I get more tired.’ 

Despite her disability, Bebe’s athletics talents have gone far from unnoticed. ‘I took part in a race in primary school, and my foster carers at that time noticed I was fast’ Bebe says. ‘When I moved to long-term foster care with Mick and Pauline, my previous carers told them all about it. Mick helped me sign up with a running club, and I found out I could be recognised in a   sport that I love.’

Bebe’s athletics achievements have soared since the days of being the fastest runner on her schools’ sports days. She now   races competitively in international events, including most recently in Italy. Bebe also came joint first place in last year's TCS Mini London Marathon.  

When asked how her foster carers support her running journey, Bebe explains ‘Mick and Pauline care about my passion and   get behind me – they travel   abroad and around the UK so that I can compete.’ 

Mick and Pauline, who have been foster carers since 2011 explain that this support and pride also comes from Bebe’s birth family, fostering service and   notably, British Athletics. Pauline explains ‘they safeguard all the children and treat Bebe no   different to other children who aren’t in foster care.’  

 When speaking to the foster carers, it is clear they enjoy reflecting on their own fostering journey and the rewards that come   with the role. ‘We wish we began fostering a lot sooner than we did to be honest’ Mick explains. Pauline goes on to elaborate   ‘before becoming foster carers, we were involved in helping Romanian children who were orphaned – we were supporting a   charity which brought the children to the UK for six weeks, and this is what first got us involved in helping children.’ 

 The couple decided they wanted to look after children in long-term foster care, and fast forward 11 years, the first child they   cared for is still with them today. Bebe is a core part of their family, alongside their birth children and grandchildren.  

 When asked about meeting Bebe for the first time, they both smile – ‘she is a real character! We were told right away she was   a good runner’ Mick explains. He describes the first time watching her race, thinking ‘I really hope she does well. I was   pleasantly surprised when she won the race, which was against children without disabilities. This made me start thinking she   has something special, and we should look into it.’ 

This was just the beginning of the support Mick and Pauline showed Bebe, and they have been with her all the way ever since. 

‘She is only 16 and has a very bright future ahead of her’ Mick says. This is supported by Pauline who adds ‘you always want what’s best for your children, and the children you foster are no different.’  

When Bebe is presented with the question ‘what’s next?’ her confidence and determination shine through in her response. ‘On top of my running, I want to go to university and study to become a midwife – I would like to be able to pursue both at the same time’ she explains.  

There is no doubt that Bebe has everything it takes to achieve her ambitions, balancing her athletics, education and career goals. She goes on to say, ‘my mum wanted to be a midwife, and it’s also been my dream job since I was young – I don’t want to give up on that.’ 

On the topic of dreams, Bebe adds one more thing as our conversation comes to a close. That no matter who you are ‘people should follow their dreams and do what they want to do – not the dreams of other people.’ 

This piece of advice is truly reflective of Bebe’s attitude to succeeding and the hard work she puts into doing so – we can’t wait to see where she goes next.