Paralympic swimmer: I can achieve anything
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
By Keino Swamber South Bureau
PAUL Ince and his wife, Tracey James-Ince, were devastated when, 15 years ago, she gave birth to a child whose right leg was shorter than the left.
In fact, so distraught was Ince when he first saw his daughter that he cursed the doctors and even cursed God. He could not fathom the thought of his daughter, whom they named Shanntol, facing a life of ridicule.
However, it did not take the Inces very long to realise they were blessed with a gem.
Today, Shanntol is a national swimmer who, on Wednesday, was named Sports Personality of the Year by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee.
Shanntol created history by becoming this country's first Paralympic athlete to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
While dad has only travelled as far as Tobago, daughter travelled all the way to New Delhi, India, in October, finishing fifth in the Para Sport 50 metres freestyle and sixth in both the Para Sport 100 metres freestyle and the Para Sport 100 metres butterfly.
About her daughter's achievements to date, James-Ince yesterday told the Express she feels great.
"I always told Shanntol not to see her situation as a disability but as an ability," James-Ince said.
"It never kept her back from anything. We took it hard at first. We didn't exactly know how to get through having a baby born with a disability. We were frightened and there were people who would tell us don't allow her to do certain things or don't allow her to go to certain places. We started going to church and after that, it was easy."
The first of five children, Shanntol started swimming at the age of four while at kindergarten.
"We had people telling us don't let her to swim because people will watch her foot. But we couldn't see what other sport she could have gotten involved in at that point. She started and the instructor realised that she was doing well and he suggested that she get started in competitive swimming."
Shanntol, a Form Four pupil, attends the Gasparillo Secondary School.
"I feel really blessed to know I have achieved so much," Shanntol said yesterday.
"I know I could not have done it without my faith in God, the T&T Olympic Committee, the T&T Paralympic Committee, my club Petrotrin Barracudas, my coach Ralph Yearwood, friends, family and church."
Shanntol said she was determined to prove to others that people with disabilities could achieve anything they set their minds to and be the best at what they do. Her career goal is to become an orthopaedic surgeon.
"I found an interest in bones and the way they develop. Not only because of my leg, but just to try and help other people as well. As for swimming, I am concentrating right now on getting to the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and even winning a medal."
Her advice to other young people facing similar challenges is to put God first in everything they do.
"Don't think of your situation as a setback or something bad. Think of it as a challenge to get to somewhere greater than where you are right now."