Paralympic Star Cyclist, Jayme Richardson, has brought home two Bronze Medals for Australia and been voted as one of the top 100 sportswomen of all time. With her sights set on the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, she talks to Push On about her love of cycling and a cause close to her heart.
Champion Paralympian cyclist Jayme Richardson with “hero” Curtis Crighton and his dad, Jamie.
How did it feel being named one of the top 100 sportswomen of all time?
I was stunned. There are so many good sportswomen and I was so grateful to the community and to those that voted for me.
How did you first get involved with cycling?
I first got involved in sport at Jasper Road Public School, Baulkham Hills. The school encouraged me to start swimming which I hadn’t done before. I was able to make it to the state level in school sports and then the national games for disabled sport. The other sport I loved was cycling but I was on training wheels until I was 12.
When I was 15 years old I saw Claire McLean, a silver medallist in Athens, speak about how the Australian Paralympics team needed more female cyclists.
A week later I was at the Velodrome training with Tom Skulander. The very first day I jumped on a track bike, then over the next few weeks I had the shoes, nicks and was training hard.
For a while I would only ride on the duck board because I had fallen off a corner. Sean Eadie the Olympic cyclist was there the first time I fell off and he said, ‘you know what you need to do is to get straight back on.’ Then I fell off again. It took six months of two hours each Wednesday to get back on and I slowly built up confidence. I rode tandem which helped to prove that a shake didn’t mean I would necessarily fall.
How do you feel when you ride a bike?
When I ride a bike I feel free, I feel like I’m doing something for my country.
What disability do you have?
I have form of Cerebral Palsy called Cerebellar Ataxia and Gross Motor Retardation.
How was it diagnosed?
I was born without a heartbeat so the doctors knew something wasn’t right. My Mum and Dad knew I was a bit behind with things like sitting up and crawling so they started to really investigate. That’s when I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Two years ago I was diagnosed with Gross Motor Retardation even though I’ve had it all along.
How does it affect you?
It affects my fine motor skills, my balance and I have muscle spasms. It can cause me to have spasms throughout the night which can affect my day to day living. Sometimes I can be so tired from having spasms all night, I can’t train next day.
How does it affect your cycling?
The brakes on my bike are positioned much lower because if my hand is outstretched it locks and spasms. I also can’t reach the water bottle cage so my dad installed a bottle with a long tube that runs up to the handlebars.
Another important part of the bike is having a DI2 automatic gear change. It’s a necessity for me as I can tap a gear and change anywhere.
What is your next career ambition?
The World Championship in Para-cycling and other events leading up to Rio. In August I have a road race and road time trial in Canada. This year is about warming up for next year. Next year is the year to start earning points to qualify for Rio.
Why is TAD’s Freedom Wheels bike a cause that’s so close to your heart?
I didn’t find TAD at a young age and so I really had to struggle to find bikes I could ride. The struggle did make me stronger and is a part of me and who I am today. But seeing kids with disabilities riding a bike is incredible.
My hero is little Curtis Crichton who rode the whole 15kms in the Spring Cycle last year. He’s amazing. He has cerebral palsy and can’t walk without assistance. For TAD to provide him with the Freedom Wheels modified bike that helped him achieve his Spring Cycle victory was just amazing.
I am honoured to be TAD’s Ambassador and I’m honoured to be a part of changing kid’s futures.
What would you say to a child with a disability who would like to ride a bike or become a Paralympic cyclist?
Go for it! There is no such word as ‘can’t’. It’s a hard work but if you’ve got the determination and a big heart you will get there.
If you would like to help fund a modified Freedom Wheels bike for a child with disabilities please visit http://jaymeappeal.gofundraise.com.au. Every Freedom Wheels bike is individually modified to suit the child’s exact needs. The exact cost varies depending upon the child, but they start from $850.
TAD Disability Services
Ph: 1300 663 243
www.tadnsw.org.au
