And Tynedale Swimming Club member Grace Courtney’s (14) determination to get back in the water after an operation to insert metal rods in her back saw her return from the British Blind Sport National Youth Gala with three gold medals, and one silver.
Grace, who was born with neurfibromatosis which has resulted in her being blind in one eye, was last year diagnosed with progressive scoliosis which causes the spine to curve. Due to the severity of the condition, she required an immediate operation before Christmas.
During her rehabilitation, the teenager focused her efforts on returning to swimming. And her hard work has certainly paid off as she successfully returned to the national gala, where she won five golds in 2016.
Grace said: “I’ve really missed all my sport but swimming was the one thing I could still do pretty much up until my operation, and the doctors said that would be the first thing I’d be allowed to do once they were happy with the rods in my back.
“It felt really strange at first when I went in the pool as I’m 6cm taller since the operation, and I’ve had to get used to that and I still have to be very careful. But it also felt so good to be back swimming again.
“Once I knew I could still swim, I really wanted to try and get fit enough to take part in the gala and it gave me a goal to work towards so I was practising over the Easter holidays. This was the best gala yet as I didn’t expect to win anything. I just wanted to take part, so it was a lovely surprise.
“I’m hoping the next time I’m back at the hospital, they say I can start cycling and running again so I can try do a triathlon this year as well!”
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