Kim Scott was given a two per cent chance of survival.
One day into her life, a life-threatening seizure made Scott so sick she couldn鈥檛 eat or breathe on her own. Doctors told her parents their daughter likely wouldn鈥檛 make it, even if she pulled through, they said their newborn would live her life in a vegetative state. Twenty-three years later, Scott is training in the hopes of one day representing her country on the world stage.
鈥淭he Paralympics are ultimately my big dream and my big goal, but I am very honoured to be able to do it wherever I am,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely about the journey. Definitely, I am enjoying every step, I am enjoying the ride and I want to learn as much as I can to be the best that I can.鈥�
Scott lives with cerebral palsy and today the equestrian is on the back of Adam, a 13-year-old black and white Clydesdale cross she manoeuvres through an indoor arena. In para dressage, rider and horse are juried on a prescribed series of movements. From side to side, then in a circle, then straight. Scott is in complete control, the two in sync.
鈥淚t鈥檚 communicating with an animal three times your size, who speaks a different language,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing partnership. It鈥檚 an amazing feeling.鈥�
Growing up with stiff, spastic muscles and challenges with balance and co-ordination, the Metchosin resident couldn鈥檛 have imagined participating in any sport, let alone enjoying and excelling the way she does now. Despite being a 鈥渧ery competitive鈥� person, her body didn鈥檛 allow her to, that was until she discovered therapeutic riding at 11.
鈥淚鈥檓 not disabled when I am at the barn and I am not disabled when I am on the horse鈥檚 back,鈥� Scott says. 鈥淚 can go anywhere I want to go and not worry about falling down or tripping or getting tired. The horses really are my legs some days.鈥�
More than two decades after her parents were told she likely wouldn鈥檛 live, and 12 years after discovering the sport she is so passionate about today, Scott competes with the Canada Para Equestrian Talent ID Squad. She finished fourth in 2017, but long term, she has only one major goal in mind.
鈥淭o ultimately represent Canada in the Paralympics,鈥� Scott says. 鈥淎nd if all goes well it will be the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.鈥�
Follow Scott on her or support her campaign to fund her training to achieve her goal.
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