If I share something it's to try and help
others or it's because I just feel like it. When you're a premmie and
grow up with CP only to have to start from scratch again due to GBS, you
learn pretty quickly that you really have to create your own trail and
it's a path that won't be straightforward no matter how hard you try. A
lot of it is out of your control because just when life is going pretty
well, it throws a massive curveball that obliterates that path.
This
time two years ago I was still in hospital unable to hardly do anything
for myself and was not even 6 months into this journey. GBS took away
every bit of independence I had courtesy of years of surgeries and
therapy due to CP and despite continued efforts my GBS recovery is
taking longer than the apparent norm. Literally one year ago I started
training with a coach and at that time I could barely make it to the
other end of the pool but I've just begun racing!
Following discharge
from hospital I spent many months relearning how to move my body in the
water. I still actually feel rather unconnected and uncoordinated. I've
always loved being in the water because it's provided me with pain
relief and physiotherapy as well as teaching kids how to swim
(unfortunately unable to return to work currently due to GBS).
I've just
been to my first nationals which was also the trials for the
paralympics. I know I'm quite old for a rookie but if you understood
just some of what I've been through lately, only then would you realise
just how tough life has been and why I'm so proud of myself. My focus
was to swim a good heat to try and make the final. Well, I certainly
exceeded my expectations considering I only train a few days a week! I
bawled my eyes out because I'M OFF TO THE 2016 RIO PARALYMPICS (pending
international classification in Berlin in June) so I'll find out in 10
weeks!
The classification is primarily based off the GBS. I was
nationally classified as an S4 over a year ago. Apologies if I've
forgotten anyone but huge thanks to everyone involved especially my
parents, coach and club, my physio, exercise physiologists at Making
Strides and staff at Swimming Australia. Congratulations to everyone who
has already qualified also. Woah, I don't think any of this will sink
in until I'm actually on the plane! Lots of logistics to sort out and
some sleep to catch up on. I can't wait to see my puppy!
This is a link to a video she put together about her GBS journey.