Sophie Pascoe
Sophie Pascoe is an inspirational, paralympic swimming champion from New Zealand. She has won many medals over her time, being a swimmer, and is expected to win lots more.
Background:
Sophie was born on the 8th of January 1993 in Christchurch.She has one sister called Rebecca, a mum called Jo and a Dad called Garry. The name of the swim club she swims at is the QEII swim club. Swimming has been her passion ever since she was about 5 years old.
Accident:
When she was two, her Dad ran her over ( by accident) with his ride on mower. This tragic event left Sophie with a rounded stump just below her left knee. She still says to this day, that the accident has been the best thing that has ever happened to her. Her Dad is still haunted by the event, as he feels he is the one responsible for the amputation.
Inspiration:
If her left leg hadn’t been amputated below the knee she would not have been inspired by her struggles against able-bodied rivals in the swimming pool. Another thing is that she re-opened Harewood school swimming pool. She has inspired other disabled athletes because she has shown them that obstacles in life don’t define who you are. Also she has shown that even if you have a disability, it doesn’t mean you can’t do something you have always dreamed of doing. She has shared inspirational speeches at different schools.
Awards:
Sophie has won many awards including gold,silver and bronze medals in the paralympics, Many halberg awards and that is not even half of them. Some of sophie’s main achievements would have to be Winner of the Halberg Award for Disabled Sportsperson of the Year 3 times. Lastly she got named as an ambassador for beef and lamb New Zealand.
Overall Sophie Pascoe is an amazing, inspirational hero that many young athletes overcoming challenges look up to.
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