An inspirational athlete is aiming for the top just 13 weeks after having her lower leg amputated.
Alice Mason (29) only took up rowing on October 15 –and is heading to the British Championships later this month after training hard.
She is already on course to be picked for the GB squad heading to Tokyo 2020 for the Paralympics and was back in the gym just five weeks after her operation.
Born with a disability commonly called club foot, Alice endured hundreds of operations before taking the tough decision to amputate below the knee.
“I was given the option of living the rest of my life in a wheelchair, or an amputation,” she said. “It was a difficult decision, knowing that I would never put both feet on the ground again, but I was doing press-ups in hospital after the operation – they thought I had fallen over.”
Having undergone so many operations and spent so much time in plaster, the move to a prosthetic limb has been relatively smooth.
“I did my first sports day plastered to the hip, and still won a medal,” she said. “I had hundreds of operations from being a day old. Spending all that time in plaster meant I have a good sense of balance, which has helped with the prosthetic. At the time I was young we lived in Berkshire, so I was treated at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
“Just a week before the amputation I ran a 5k and it really hurt. But I did it,” said Alice.
“Five weeks after the amputation, at Peterborough City Hospital, I was back in he gym and doing the spinning classes.
She joined the City of Peterborough Rowing Club and will be heading to London’s Olympic Park on December 9 for the British Indoor Rowing Championships.
“I just won’t give up – there is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.
“My daughter, who is eight, has gained so much confidence from this. She was quite clingy because of my foot, but now she can see that you can do anything, no matter what.”
Alice, who lives near Spalding, is hoping for some sponsorship to help with the cost of travelling and training.
“I am having a special prosthetic leg made, but it won’t be ready for the championships so I’m going to row without it. The coach at Peterborough City Rowing Club is helping for free but I really could use some sponsors. Their logo can be put on the leg I will use for racing – I have a couple already, but more would be good,” she said.
“I am really grateful to the Castle Gym in Spalding and specially Cheryl who’s there. I would never have done this on my own and she has been brilliant, as has the rowing club.”
Alice, who has lived in this area for more than 20 years and is married to Tammy, is aiming to be in the Paralympic team flying to Japan in a little over two years.
“I have my category, but it will be tough. There are only four spaces on the boat, but my times are OK,” she said.
The British Indoor Championships are being held at the Velopark on December 9 and times will be used to help pick the squad.
“There is a long way to go yet, but it would be fantastic if I made it,” she said.
