Eye on Rowing to Nationals

About Me

I am low-vision blind with Optic Nerve Dysplasia, an eye condition that is genetic from birth and degenerative in nature, creating a slow decline of visual acuity with no night vision or depth perception. Despite a visual impairment I am known to be an ambitious and passionate person that has excelled professionally as the founder of a charity; Leash of Hope Assistance Dogs, a successful RMT, disability advocate and athlete.

After spending 15 years in the equestrian world, and dabbling in many adaptive sports including blind hockey, guided running, adaptive tennis, and jujitsu, I started pursuing rowing competitively in 2020. From learning to row in the thick of the pandemic to getting to row at nationals as an exhibition (practice) rower in my first year, I am now a Next-Gen National Carded athlete for rowing RowingBC. In fall of 2023, I will be representing the Province of BC at Nationals. To get there I will continue to train 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day, whilst working full-time to cover my regular expense as a single-income person. The cost of training and competing alone for the year will equate to $6000. This is just the cost of my club and training fees, travel and competitions and does not include any equipment or personal expenses while I navigate training and working full-time. Any help and support I can get to make it to Nationals and continue as a Paralympic hopeful would make the world of difference to me.