KAIL-2193-Inspiring-Women-Book-03[2]

I just wanted to be the best. And
always, always striving to be the best
led me onto the Australian team.
down the hospital corridor on a skateboard
and having a lot of fun. She realised then, that
nothing had changed about me other than I’d
lost a leg.”
From there, Ellie has defied the odds. Time
and time again. First, it was ticking off each of
the activities her doctor had said she’d never
be able to do. Next, it was being amongst the
fastest in her swim squad of able-bodied kids.
“I remember I would turn up to training at the
beginning of every session and say, “I’m going
to be the first one back to the wall today”. And
even when I was doing my kicking sessions, you
know, I had one leg and the other kids had two,
but I still wanted to be the fastest,” says Ellie.
It took a great deal of work, but over time and
with sheer determination, Ellie was one of the
fastest in that squad and, at age 14, she found
herself in the Australian swim team.
“That was never part of the plan,” she laughs.
“I just wanted to be the best. And always,
always striving to be the best led me onto the
Australian team.”
Today, she holds 15 Paralympic medals, six of
which are gold, with her sights on another
Games.
“I had one working limb and that was a
really difficult period in my life,” says Ellie.
The physical hardship was one thing. More
challenging, Ellie says, was her mental state
which had her staring in the face of defeat.
Then chance stepped in and, only months
after her operation, Ellie had the opportunity
to hear Australian swimmer, Petria Thomas,
recount her story of overcoming shoulder
reconstruction to win an Olympic Gold.
“I left that room, went straight to the pool and I
decided I was going to work back to being the
best, no matter how much work it took. Within
nine months, I broke my first world record,” says
Ellie.
For Ellie, personal success and overcoming any
perceived limitations is who she is, totally and
absolutely.
“Women who are really inspiring are those who
have gone against the grain and done what they
want to do, despite what anybody else thinks,”
she says.
BLUE AURORA PENDANT
“...a treasure of dual pearls – two moons
creating islands surrounded by a sea...”
“I’m trying to hit 20 Paralympic medals. I think I
should be able to retire happily, if I can achieve
that,” she laughs.