Amanda Jane Reynolds
League:
Para-canoe (kayak)
State / Area:
VIC / Metro
Funding Requested
$1500
Voting has now finished.
Recipients will be announced on 6th June 2016.
About Amanda Jane Reynolds
AJ is Australia's first ever female Para National, Oceanic & World Champion in para-canoe. So far in 2016, she has retained her 2015 National+Oceanic titles. In Germany in May 2016, she will contest and (we expect) retain her 2016 World Champion title. She is based in Queensland, but lives in Victoria. In 2012, AJ's right leg from the knee down was amputated and paddling was suggested as an activity she could try. Paddling turned into passion and within 2 years, AJ debuted at international level. Since her debut in 2014, AJ was won every title in her class in the 200m, 500m and 1000m events. Para-canoe debuts at the 2016 Paralympics and AJ will represent Australia in the 200m.
Value to the Individual
I met AJ in 2015. I had not had contact with a para-athlete before. As we spoke about life in general, it became clear that a disabled person's life can be very difficult. They not only face a physical and/or mental disability but they can also suffer severe emotional and medical issues. AJ's determination to maintain a healthy positive lifestyle influenced me to look at my own wellbeing. I changed my professional role to a role where my employer assists not for profit / charity organisations and child protection. I commenced fundraising to assist AJ with her additional expenses to maintain her prosthetic and wheelchair access. I managed to raise enough funds to purchase that wheelchair. My next target is her prosthetic.
Why the funds are needed
AJ wears a standard prosthetic. However, in the last 2 years she has experienced numerous breakages due to the pressure placed on the prosthetic as a result of her therapy and training. I would donate this $1500 towards the cost of the specially built prosthetic.
Links
http://canoe.org.au/ (Australian Canoeing)
https://www.paralympic.org.au/play-para-sport/
http://www.vis.org.au/athletes-sports/sports/elite-athletes-with-a-disability/
http://www.vis.org.au/athletes-sports/athletes/amanda-reynolds/
www.aj-reynolds.com.au
Be sure to Like our Facebook page for news and updates.