The Year that Was 2023

What an interesting year 2023 was!  For me there were some very low lows and some great highs, but we have arrived at the end of the year in one piece.

My year started out pretty good, at least the first couple of days until I had a crash during nationals in the Time Trial.  I was gutted as I was hoping to have a really good year and was feeling really fit and ready to go.  On a corner (some of you would know how hard corners are on a trike), I entered into it a bit too fast and just before that corner the coach following me, Shane, had said “make sure you look out for the potholes!”  Needless to say my right back wheel hit the dirt shoulder and I thought I could pull it back. But at 54.5 km/hr that wasn’t going to happen and I ended up on the dirt shoulder with my front wheel hitting, yes you guessed it a pothole!  This stopped the trike dead in its tracks and I flew over the handlebars again (just like Tokyo!).  Flying through the air my brain switched into ‘roll’ mode and as I tried to roll before hitting the ground I landed on my right shoulder with my legs flying over top of me.

Needless to say, this time I couldn’t get back up and try to continue.  I was transported by ambulance and found out that I had completely dislocated my right shoulder, with the scapula moving downwards, the AC joint outwards and my collarbone upwards!  BUT I didn’t break anything!  One saving grace.  I did however need surgery to put it all together. 

The surgeon I saw was fabulous and I told him we had a deadline as I wanted to race at the World Cups in April and May.  I think he thought I was nuts!

But I made it, not in the best shape of my life, but I was there.

I have now realised that the older we get the longer it takes to get back to where we left off, after injury and I wasn’t quite there at Worlds (3 more weeks would have been good!)  I am pretty sure that most of my competitors figured I was just there to make up the numbers, that I was washed up.  In fact I know that was what some of them were saying as I was told it by one of their team members!

So for the first time in my cycling career (since 2011) I was not on the podium even once!  But I gave it my all, was a mentor to others and proved that you don’t have to podium to do the best that you can and have fun.

I was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for my performance in Tokyo and just recently was presented with my Australian Paralympian Pin #889.  There are only 1126 people in Australia who have been Paralympians and as an immigrant to this country I feel especially grateful to be number 889 and be a part of this amazing family, our mob!

Australian Sports Medal

Australian Paralympian Pin #889

In my personal life I continue to try and build my speaking business and have met some incredible people through it who have taught me so much, yes even at this ripe old age! And Russ and I even went on a trip to WA, our first trip together in 13 years!

I am looking forward to this year being over and look forward to all the new possibilities in 2024.

To all my family, friends, competitors and acquaintances I wish you a very Happy and Safe New Year!