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Paralympic dream for rider with cerebral palsy

Kim ScottB次元官网网址檚 goal is to represent Canada and wonB次元官网网址檛 let anything, including cerebral palsy, get in her way

Kim Scott was given a two per cent chance of survival.

One day into her life, a life-threatening seizure made Scott so sick she couldnB次元官网网址檛 eat or breathe on her own. Doctors told her parents their daughter likely wouldnB次元官网网址檛 make it, even if she pulled through, they said their newborn would live her life in a vegetative state. Twenty-three years later, Scott is training in the hopes of one day representing her country on the world stage.

B次元官网网址淭he Paralympics are ultimately my big dream and my big goal, but I am very honoured to be able to do it wherever I am,B次元官网网址 she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely about the journey. Definitely, I am enjoying every step, I am enjoying the ride and I want to learn as much as I can to be the best that I can.B次元官网网址

Scott lives with cerebral palsy and today the equestrian is on the back of Adam, a 13-year-old black and white Clydesdale cross she manoeuvres through an indoor arena. In para dressage, rider and horse are juried on a prescribed series of movements. From side to side, then in a circle, then straight. Scott is in complete control, the two in sync.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 communicating with an animal three times your size, who speaks a different language,B次元官网网址 she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an amazing partnership. ItB次元官网网址檚 an amazing feeling.B次元官网网址

Growing up with stiff, spastic muscles and challenges with balance and co-ordination, the Metchosin resident couldnB次元官网网址檛 have imagined participating in any sport, let alone enjoying and excelling the way she does now. Despite being a B次元官网网址渧ery competitiveB次元官网网址 person, her body didnB次元官网网址檛 allow her to, that was until she discovered therapeutic riding at 11.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not disabled when I am at the barn and I am not disabled when I am on the horseB次元官网网址檚 back,B次元官网网址 Scott says. B次元官网网址淚 can go anywhere I want to go and not worry about falling down or tripping or getting tired. The horses really are my legs some days.B次元官网网址

More than two decades after her parents were told she likely wouldnB次元官网网址檛 live, and 12 years after discovering the sport she is so passionate about today, Scott competes with the Canada Para Equestrian Talent ID Squad. She finished fourth in 2017, but long term, she has only one major goal in mind.

B次元官网网址淭o ultimately represent Canada in the Paralympics,B次元官网网址 Scott says. B次元官网网址淎nd if all goes well it will be the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.B次元官网网址

Follow Scott on her or support her campaign to fund her training to achieve her goal.

Arnold.lim@blackpress.ca

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Kim Scott is spending five days training to achieve her dream of representing Canada at the Paralympics. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
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Kim Scott is spending five days training to achieve her dream of representing Canada at the Paralympics. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)


Arnold Lim

About the Author: Arnold Lim

I'm an award-winning photojournalist, videographer, producer, and director.
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