We’re very pleased to introduce you to our latest Bader Grant Recipient of the Month, Sophie Harris, who had her leg amputated last February, and is now pursuing her goal to represent Team GB in the Paralympic Games. We were delighted to be able to acknowledge her courage and determination with a Bader Grant.
Sophie has just returned from a Para Development Camp at Bisham Abbey and has kindly sent us a diary of what sounds like a pretty exhausting but very rewarding experience.
Classification- Successful National. So chuffed. Sophie Harris at Bisham Abbey
We’ll be bringing you more from Sophie during her time as our featured BGRotM and wish her every success in the pursuit of her goal. With the Bader spirit in spades, we’ve no doubt she’ll succeed.
Sophie is currently raising money towards the cost of a specialist rowing prosthetic which she’s unable to get through the NHS but which is vital to take her to the level in her chosen sport that will qualify her to compete in the Paralympics. If you’d like to help her to achieve her goal, she would be very grateful for any donations and you can give via her fundraising page: https://www.youcaring.com/sophieharris-1071074 where you will also find further information about Sophie.
Below is a piece from the excellent Dorset Orthopaedic’s latest e-newsletter with further information.
Sophie Harris’ Rowing Success
New ambassador Sophie Harris has made extraordinary progress in her quest to become a competitive rower following the amputation of her left leg below the knee just over a year ago.Born with Congenital Talipes Equinovarus, Sophie struggled with multiple surgeries and procedures to help her walk independently but eventually she had to have an amputation in February 2017 at the age of 32. Developing an interest in rowing helped Sophie to navigate those early months when she was adjusting to her new way of life, physically and psychologically. She joined the Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club based in Plymouth who introduced her to the sport and were instrumental in discovering her natural affinity with rowing.
Since then, Sophie’s training has gone from strength to strength, and she has been training with Dart Totnes Rowing Club with the support of her coach Simon Gifford-Mead. Her dedication and talent led her to be invited to British Rowing’s Talent ID camp and later she became nationally classified in PR3 rowing. The latest news from Sophie is that she has been asked to attend an international camp in Italy in May 2018 where she’ll be classified for international competitions and have the opportunity to see the Paralympic Team GB Squad in action. This is an incredible step on Sophie’s journey to greatness, and a sign of the amazing things to come; she’s already set her sights on Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Sophie’s team of clinicians at the Southern Clinic created this beautiful custom made rowing leg designed to support her sporting ambitions.
Herewith Sophie’s camp diary:
We’re very grateful to Sophie for her fascinating and informative input and look forward to bringing you more news of her progress in the next instalment!