My story
One cold January morning in Yamagata, Japan, my life ambition to snowboard for Great Britain shattered along with my lower thorasic spine and a few ribs, as I overshot a 30 foot tabletop.In a fraction of a second I became paraplegic.
A year later I realize that there's a whole world of opportunities out there to be seized!
I spoke to 3 times world champion and Paralympic monoskier (sit-skier), Stacey Kohut, from my hospital bed. Tentatively I asked about riding powder and his alluring words 'You turn when the terrain makes you' conjured blissful visions and sparked new dreams in my mind which was reeling in shock.
'I'll see you in the Paralympics', the surgeon called as he waved goodbye after a month in the Japanese hospital.
Words I took to heart.
So I raced around Stoke Mandeville, hammered through rehab and soon found myself back on the slopes restricted only by financial issues.
My drive has returned and I am stronger and more determined than ever. From distant Olympic dream to Paralympic goal: 2010 here comes Anna!
"I am busy working on fitness, balance, strength and endurance, all important attributes for monoskiing, with waterskiing, handcycling, wheelchair basketball, swimming, tennis, horse riding and weights training."
A spinally injured girlfriend and I took an end of season road trip to the French Alps for ice and slush training. We discovered that skiing's much easier when there are friends about to help carry equipment (so buddies, come and ski with me! Check out my calendar under 'schedule'). Skiers can have as much fun as snowboarders even if they sink more in powder!
GB coaches saw potential, picked me for the GB development squad and I am training with the team.
I stay flexible through daily physiotherapy and yoga and do voluntary wheelchair skills coaching and teaching in a school.
The paralympic goal is encouraged and strengthened with every new 'step'. I love the buzz! I thrive off the paradoxical feeling of normality I get from monoskiing; nothing makes me feel as alive, free, elated and un-disabled! Having discovered sit-skiing, I know it is what I am cut out for.
I'm either a very slow learner or a little bit mad, but I love the rush and life would be meaningless without some mountains to race down. Driven by this sport, I hope to bring home some medals, with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck!
