The 20-year-old athlete from Wollongong thanked her mother's hometown for showing enormous support when she travelled to Abu Dhabi in March "bowl for Australia" at the Special Olympics.

"The Junee community really did send us all well-wishes and love," said Madison's mother, Janelle Sims.

"I haven't lived in the town for years, but one you've got a connection to Junee, it's there for life."

By the end of the 10-day tournament in March, Madison had gathered for herself quite the swag of accolades.

She'd taken the silver in her team, and the bronze for her double.

In her singles game, she bowled her personal best and placed sixth.

She says she was most "surprised for the doubles, but I felt confident anyway".

"When you consider, that means she's in the world's top six, that's incredible. I don't think she expected to bring home some medals too," said her mother.

Founded half a century ago, the Special Olympics celebrates athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Not that it stands in the way of her incredibly active life, Madison's mother says she is on the spectrum as well as an intellectual disability.

From Australia, Madison was joined by more than a hundred athletes competing in a range of sports.

Altogether, up to 180 countries were represented in Abu Dhabi.

"Of about 101 guys [from Australia], I think only two came home without a medal," said Ms Sims.

"When Madison wasn't bowling we'd go and watch other games where the Aussies were playing, and we'd get to know their families too."

Hosted every four years, Madison will now begin her training to qualify for the event in Berlin, Germany in 2023.

"I train about two hours a week, and 150 is my best which I did in Abu Dhabi," Madison said.

Bowling two hours a day for 10 days, Madison did manage to squeeze in time for sightseeing around Abu Dhabi, which may well have ignited a passion for travel.

She was also fortunate to be able to travel with a few family members, including her younger sister, Emily, who was present as a support worker with the football team.

"We went to Dubai for four days before it," Madison said.

"I liked the mosque in Abu Dhabi especially. The opening and closing ceremony [I liked] too. I missed my friends, but [I knew] they were at home cheering for me and I was so proud when I got back home."