Participating in recovery programs in sports could be an essential step to become successful and well known. Here is a wonderful example for adaptive rowing:Caroline Buckle.
I read this article written by Paul Goodwin. He describes how Caroline, a 40 year old former Army Veteran was setting a new world record in Indoor Rowing. In 2014 Caroline left the service for medical reasons after suffering from PTSD and other illness. Six years previously she snapped her Achilles tendon while on tour, leaving her with no use of her toes on her left foot, nerve damage and minimum feeling from her kneecap down.
Caroline Buckle Interview, Credit bbc.com
She did not give up. She successfully joined a sports recovery programme and participated at the Invictus Games and Warrior Games in various dsciplines. In 2019 she joined Doncaster Rowing Club. Together with a group of rowers she participated in the “Go Row Indoor Program”, hosted by the Doncaster Rowing Club’s indoor rowing coordinater and men’s captain Rick Rolt.
The result: She won a 500 m gold at British Rowing’s virtual regatta in a world record time of 02:02.4 in the 40-49 PR2 women’s Para Rowing category. She also won silver at the 2000m. Rolt and the club members are very proud of Caroline’s achievements.
Caroline is planning her future in sports. ““I really don’t know how to feel about the record,” said Caroline. “Shocked definitely, but delighted. I’m so proud to be part of Doncaster Rowing Club and so pleased for them as well. Training now will focus on the British Rowing Indoor Championships later this year.”
Maybe one day we will see Caroline racing in a Para Boat.
