Paralympian lights flame for Emily

LIBRARIAN Sheree Gross and St Patrick’s School pupil Emily Gleeson (7) use books to complete the Paralympics display in the children’s section of the Te Awamutu Library. TC090908CA09

BY CATHY ASPLIN

Emily Gleeson was so inspired by a recent television documentary about athlete Kate Horan that she decided to find out more about the paralympian and the Paralympics (which began on Saturday in Beijing).

The St Patrick’s School pupil found out that Kate runs on a carbon fibre leg after having her leg amputated when she was just five. She didn’t take up athletics until she was 27, but has gone on to win a number of titles and medals.

Emily will be following Kate’s progress at the Paralympics, as well as the other 29 in the New Zealand team (especially those from the Waikato). Like many she is intrigued with wheelchair rugby (also known as ‘murder ball’) and will be watching for coverage of that next weekend.

For those that don’t know a lot about the Paralympics, Emily’s display in the children’s section of the Te Awamutu Library is a good place to start. It’s also a great place to find out more about what’s available in terms of sports and leisure for disabled people in our own community. Information about the Halberg Trust programmes for disabled people and Parafed Waikato is included.

Former Paralympian, Dave McCalman is our local Halberg Trust Sport Opportunity Advisor (contact via Sport Waikato, ph 07 838 2657).

Librarian Sheree Gross has added a number of books to the display which provide information about a variety of disabilities.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealand competing at the Paralympic Games and hopes are high for another impressive medal haul. The highest tally achieved by New Zealand was 24 in 1984.

Highlights are being screened daily by TVNZ — a highlights package is at 4.10pm on TVNZ 7 and 11pm on TVNZ One. These are also available on tvnz.co.nz and One News will show daily action.