Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California. Last year, Rosalinda Hardiman was pulled only 0.7 miles from the French shore in a dramatic 25 hour 14 minute attempt of the English Channel. Paralyzed from the waist down due to polio in her childhood and needing a wheelchair, her initial attempt did not put a damper on her dreams.
Yesterday, in joyful news from the English Channel community, Hardiman finally achieved her dream and successfully swam the Channel in 20 hours 17 minutes.
In contrast to last year when Rosalinda slipped in and out of consciousness, she reportedly swam strongly to the end. Last year, she said, "I was so nearly there. I'm devastated that I didn't complete the swim, but I was in a bad way. The boat crew left me in the water until it was clear I was no longer making any headway against the current. They are concerned about the safety of the swimmers and have years of experience. I'm bitterly disappointed, but I'm alive to swim another day."And so she did yesterday - wonderfully, inspirationally and courageously.
Photos from The News.
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2 comments:
wow - what an amazing story
Ros, amazing, such perserverance and humilty. You did a superb job. What drive.
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