Closing a Chapter, Opening New Possibilities

When I think back to my Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 1998, I could never have imagined how my life would unfold from 2011 to 2025. What an incredible 14 years it has been!

What began as something I simply wanted to try turned into my entire world. Training, traveling, and racing became my life, bringing friendships from around the globe and challenges I never thought I could face.

I hope I’ve left a legacy for women everywhere to believe that “It’s never too late.” It’s never too late to try something new, chase a dream, or do what once felt impossible.

At 50, I competed in my first World Championships in Denmark. At 51, I raced in my first Paralympic Games in London. Since then, I’ve visited 14 countries—many of them twice—and closed my international career in Switzerland in 2024 and my national career in Perth this month at 63.

Gold - London Paralympics - Individual Time Trial

People often ask how many medals I’ve won, so I finally counted: 4 Paralympic Medals (3 Gold, 1 Silver), 9 World Championship Golds, 6 Silvers, 23 World Cup Golds,6 Silver and 2 Bronze, and a collection of others. But it’s not the medals that matter most. What counts are the lives I’ve touched, proving that a number—whether age or a diagnosis—doesn’t define us.

None of this would have been possible without my incredible team. Cycling may be a solo sport on race day, but it takes an army to get there. From friends and family to the Victorian Institute of Sport, since 2007 as a rower then cyclist, (Dr’s, physio’s, massage therapists and nutritionists who have put 100’s of hours into me over the last 18 years), My strength and conditioning coaches of which I have had 3, Michael, Ben and Luke. The cycling coaches along the way starting with Helen Kelly, then Rebecca DiCello, Dave Betts, Nick Owen and lastly Vanessa Bof. All very different coaches but all gave me something very distinctive from each other. AusCycling who have had my back over the years and believed that I could accomplish what I set out to do. Each person has played a vital role.

To my husband, Russ, thank you for your quiet but unwavering support, for keeping things running while I chased my dreams around the world.

Cycling remains my passion, my escape, and my joy, so I’ll always ride my trike.

As for the next chapter? Who knows what’s ahead. I’ll keep building my speaking business, seeking new challenges, and living by the mantra that has defined my journey:

“It’s never too late.”