Richael Timothy is heading to her first Paralympic Games, having suffered a brain injury that would have floored many but from which she has bounced back with energy and determination.
Her story is one of the many we will hear over the coming weeks that will serve as an inspirational reminder of the power of the human spirit, and of sport at the highest level.
On her injury:
I have an underlying condition called HTT which is a malformation of your arteries. I had treatment for it via radiosurgery back in 2016, when I was 21 years old, but three months after I started to have complications that led to a swelling of the brain. I had to learn to use the right side of my body again. The messages have to go the long way around.
On getting back to sport:
I was in my third year of college studying sports science at Athlone Institute of Technology. I was sports mad but now I couldn’t do that and it was a big adjustment. I got back in with teams helping out on the sidelines and that was important.
On finding the bike and discovering Para Sport:
I needed something to get me out of the house. Walking has ward and the doctors advised against swimming. I had an old bike at home and I started out with ten yards and then a little more, and a little more again. My GP mentioned Para Sport. I looked it up online and I texted a lad who told me that there was an open session for para-cycling in Cork the following weekend. That obviously went OK and here we are.
Watch back above and find out more about the extra year of preparation and Timothy’s hopes for Tokyo 2020.
Richael Timothy is an ambassador for Circle K who have been a strong supporter of Team Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
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