When long-time VIS remedial massage therapist, Gillian Niven, travelled to Tokyo she thought she would travel home with everyone else after the closing ceremony. However, Nivens Paralympic assignment didnt end there as an unfortunate crash for a VIS Paralympian extended her stay, but filled it with long-lasting memories.
VIS lead sport scientist, Sylvie Withers, whose parents were Olympic rowers, was training to qualify for the Australian Rowing Team before she realised that she wouldnt make it to the Olympics. It was then that she decided to help others achieve their Olympics aspirations.
Carol Cooke AM, a three-time Paralympic gold medallist, arrived in Tokyo as the athlete to beat. For Cooke, Tokyo turned out to be a Games like no other, for many different reasons.
In 2007, following the sudden onset of numbness throughout her body, Emily Petricola was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was 27. Fast forward six years, Emily is a Paralympic Champion!