The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Aug 27th 2018, 9:41 pm
#106
Concierge
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Oakville, ON, CA
Posts: 8,320
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Well check her out!!! Way to go Rosie!! She looks so determined and so pleased with herself. We are going to see her in the big leagues in no time at all.
(I have had a super crap day, and this was the perfect uplift. Thanks Oak!)
(I have had a super crap day, and this was the perfect uplift. Thanks Oak!)
Aug 27th 2018, 10:40 pm
#107
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,214
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Another season drawing to a close, time to pop back for another quick update. Rosie's been blowing a bit hot & cold over the whole track racing thing, largely because it seemed no sooner had her coach sorted her out in a properly fitting chair, she grew another couple of inches and had to start again! The club has a storage room full of different sized frames, seats, wheels and accessories that have been acquired or donated over the years, which is really awesome as they can (within reason) customize a chair for people of a huge range of sizes and with many and various disabilities. They also benefited from the Para-Pan-Am and Invictus games' legacy; a couple of the leading manufacturers brought a whole load of chairs to the Games both as spares and for public try-out sessions, which were either donated or sold for a nominal cost to local disability sports organizations.
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Aug 27th 2018, 11:13 pm
#108
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,872
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Another season drawing to a close, time to pop back for another quick update. Rosie's been blowing a bit hot & cold over the whole track racing thing, largely because it seemed no sooner had her coach sorted her out in a properly fitting chair, she grew another couple of inches and had to start again! The club has a storage room full of different sized frames, seats, wheels and accessories that have been acquired or donated over the years, which is really awesome as they can (within reason) customize a chair for people of a huge range of sizes and with many and various disabilities. They also benefited from the Para-Pan-Am and Invictus games' legacy; a couple of the leading manufacturers brought a whole load of chairs to the Games both as spares and for public try-out sessions, which were either donated or sold for a nominal cost to local disability sports organizations.
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Aug 28th 2018, 12:05 am
#109
:)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 133
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
WOW, way to go Rosie. This is fabulous and she looks so happy and confident. I shall look forward to following her career, I think she's going to be a star!
Aug 28th 2018, 12:46 am
#110
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Another season drawing to a close, time to pop back for another quick update. Rosie's been blowing a bit hot & cold over the whole track racing thing, largely because it seemed no sooner had her coach sorted her out in a properly fitting chair, she grew another couple of inches and had to start again! The club has a storage room full of different sized frames, seats, wheels and accessories that have been acquired or donated over the years, which is really awesome as they can (within reason) customize a chair for people of a huge range of sizes and with many and various disabilities. They also benefited from the Para-Pan-Am and Invictus games' legacy; a couple of the leading manufacturers brought a whole load of chairs to the Games both as spares and for public try-out sessions, which were either donated or sold for a nominal cost to local disability sports organizations.
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Once we found a chair to fit, however, there was no stopping her. This photo shows the expression on her face as she realized she was ahead of the field in one of her first competitive 100m races...
Aug 28th 2018, 1:48 am
#111
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
My post got lost in cyberspace.......... but I just want to say .... Go Rosie!!
She has been an inspiration to me...... truly. I'm so dang impressed by her... she's amazing.
Thank you for sharing and letting us have a glimpse of that moment of joy.
<3
She has been an inspiration to me...... truly. I'm so dang impressed by her... she's amazing.
Thank you for sharing and letting us have a glimpse of that moment of joy.
<3
Aug 28th 2018, 6:25 am
#112
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Such a such a great photo, thanks for the update 
Aug 28th 2018, 6:57 am
#113
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2016
Location: Munich, Germany
Posts: 189
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Fantastic photo. That smile says so much.
Thanks for sharing - great to see such progress and achievement.
Thanks for sharing - great to see such progress and achievement.
Aug 28th 2018, 10:50 am
#114
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
That's just brilliant Oak. She's doing so well, you must be incredibly proud of her determination and spirit. Look forward to seeing her in the Olympics in years to come and telling anyone and everyone that I kind of know her! 
Aug 29th 2018, 12:56 pm
#115
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,032
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Fabulous photo of your incredible daughter.
Aug 29th 2018, 5:22 pm
#116
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
That got me all weepy - wonderful fantastic photo - thank you.
Aug 30th 2018, 12:27 pm
#117
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
I will confess to also developing a defective tear duct. That photo has made my day. It is beyond A-word!
Things looked bleak at the beginning. Now look at at. I cannot even begin to imagine how much effort Oak and his family have put into this.
I am awestruck (bugger, I used the word!).
One could easily make a movie out of this story.
Things looked bleak at the beginning. Now look at at. I cannot even begin to imagine how much effort Oak and his family have put into this.
I am awestruck (bugger, I used the word!).
One could easily make a movie out of this story.
Aug 31st 2018, 11:58 am
#118
Professional Cat herder
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: TORONTO- yay!!!
Posts: 5,707
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Another one who must have developed an allergy to the dust in her room!
Seriously though my arms are knackered after pushing my dad around in his wheelchair for a few days, I can't even begin to imagine the physical effort that takes (not aside from the mental effort it must have taken to get to that point)
Go Rosie
Seriously though my arms are knackered after pushing my dad around in his wheelchair for a few days, I can't even begin to imagine the physical effort that takes (not aside from the mental effort it must have taken to get to that point)
Go Rosie
Aug 31st 2018, 6:17 pm
#119
Seasoned Maritimer
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick CA
Posts: 8,309
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
Heart warming
Aug 31st 2018, 8:06 pm
#120
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: The Rosie Sparkles Thread
I'm late to this update, but Rosie is amazing, as is her family. I know her father is, but have to assume that the rest of the family is equally exceptional.