I was talking earlier in a thread about people of courage so I thought I would start a thread about it.

The one that comes firstly to mind is the downs syndrome man that I mentioned, who competes most years at the adult opens, there is also a skater who is profoundly deaf, heaven knows how she follows the music.

There is a women at a rink I've been visiting that was once told she was never going to walk again. She can only practice stroking, but going from being (nearly) hopelessly bed ridden to up and about on the ice is a much longer and courageous path than I could ever walk.

If I wore a hat I would tip it.

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The spotted bird flies
Rising through winds of turmoil
I am not regret.

I have MS and was in a wheelchair for awhile. I told my neuro to shove it when he suggested I shouldn't become a teacher. I was diganosed at 23 and started back skating (quit when I was 13) when I was 26. I ake time off if my legs are weak or numb, but for the most part I'm doing fantastic. My new neuro thinks its fantastic I'm skating and trying double jumps.

As far as I'm concerned you have chosen two of the most difficult things to do in life, I could never teach, no patience at all and the next time I moan about my bunion I will think of you, if you are working on doubles, then my goal has to be at least axel, but just dont watch this space for too long, you may get cobwebs!

Well done

Grace

The other person who comes to mind is the skater who was attacked in the street and left for dead, but continues to compete despite repeated surgery, a totally paralysed hand, and the prospect of a wheelchair within a couple of years. She's in constant pain, but skates as much as she can - and wins nearly every class she enters, although she can no longer do free skating but has to stick to artistic & dance. She, and the other two skaters Grace mentioned, are known and loved on the British competitive circuit.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

IF (posting in this thread) requires a skater 'Show-skating, plus competing' - that's not me.
IF allowed to post about skating courageously & joyful, then I can participate.

After "acute lymphocytic leukemia", instead of being killed in a research-center in '82, I allowed only Positive-people in my life, PRAISE God.

unconscious (after attacked & left for dead, pregnant with my daughter in '84), instead of them aborting her, I birthed her healthy & well, PRAISE God.

(with my mother dieing of osteoporosis-related complication, etc), I decided I wanted to learn to skate, PRAISE God.

Annie