Parallel Windsor 2023 - Part 2

We arrived in plenty of time to start the 1Km with everyone else at the scheduled time, but for some unknown reason, they started it earlier, so I missed out on starting with the rest of the participants. I know that it doesn’t really matter, but I was quite disappointed with this because the main motto of Parallel Lifestyle is “Start together, finish whenever”, and it was a big day for me as it meant so much. I guess that starting after everyone else had its benefits because all the crowds were way ahead of me…

When I was doing the actual walk, I found it much more difficult to control my body. I know that it was a different environment that I’m not used to, and all the people going past me would impact on my performance, but I didn’t realise how much it would affect me. I couldn’t keep a consistent grip on the handlebar of my frame; my arm just wanted to do its own thing, even my good arm (I never try to hold on with my right because it’s more trouble than it’s worth). As I couldn’t keep hold of the handlebar, I found it difficult to keep my body in line with my feet… I have a technique to use when my body won’t behave, in which I sit on the seat of my frame and push myself along with my feet… I know this is not how I’m supposed to use it, but it works. At least I was able to move forwards, I kept thinking “if I keep moving, I’ll be ok”. I do try to walk properly most of the time, but when your body just isn’t playing ball, what else can you do?

When I have been practicing, I have been using a phone app that measures the distance as well as the time it takes, and I have got to know the area around where I live, and by using this app, I have learned how far certain street lights and other landmarks are from my home, and this helps me estimate how far I’ve walked. However, if I’m completely honest, when I was doing the walk on the day, I had no idea about the distance I had walked unless my mum or dad told me, or there was a sign saying 50 metres to go or something like that. I have always struggled with knowing distances because of having to travel in a chair; I have never had a chance to learn how far it is from A to B. I know roughly how long it takes to travel somewhere if I have been there a few times, but that’s it. As soon as I could see how far away from the finish line I was, that was it – I stood up straight and went for it! When I could see the finish, I found it a lot less daunting because I knew that I didn’t have far to go.

When I crossed the finish line, I did a big air punch… Then the adrenaline left and I burst into tears because it meant so much to me. They weren’t tears of sorrow, they were tears of relief, overwhelming emotion of accomplishment! My legs went limp! I then had to get out of my walking frame and back into my wheelchair, I tried to walk but my legs were like jelly...

When I was getting ready for the 1Km event, I saw Paralympic gold medallist, Ellie Simmonds! Afterwards, I spotted her again, walking towards us. I even got the chance to meet her and have a photo taken with her! I have always loved watching Ellie compete in her swimming races, and I always scream at the TV, cheering her on! Words cannot describe how I felt in that moment, it was just so amazing; it was unreal! My mum says that I was fangirling big time, and she’s not wrong! I absolutely loved meeting her!

Thank you to everyone who supported me! It feels amazing to have walked 1k in Windsor, especially for such an important course. I really hope that the money I have raised helps as many Ukrainian refugees as possible. I hope that they can get the support they so desperately need.

Slava Ukraini!