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Paralympic sculling dreams of intravenously-fed woman | Paralympic sculling dreams of intravenously-fed woman |
(about 9 hours later) | |
When Cambridge University student Claire Connon was forced to give up a promising rowing career through illness, she was convinced she would never pick up an oar again. | When Cambridge University student Claire Connon was forced to give up a promising rowing career through illness, she was convinced she would never pick up an oar again. |
But seven years later, at the age of 26, Miss Connon, who has to be fed through a tube and uses a wheelchair, has been tipped for the 2016 Rio Paralympics by her British Rowing coach after taking to the water again just a few months ago. | |
Miss Connon, who lives in Cambridge, has Ehlers Danlos syndrome. It affects her joints and digestive and neurological systems. | Miss Connon, who lives in Cambridge, has Ehlers Danlos syndrome. It affects her joints and digestive and neurological systems. |
Since her doctor introduced her to a new method of delivering food to her body - parenteral nutrition - that takes vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients directly to her heart, she says she has found renewed energy. | Since her doctor introduced her to a new method of delivering food to her body - parenteral nutrition - that takes vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients directly to her heart, she says she has found renewed energy. |
Miss Connon is now back in training in an adapted boat in Oundle, Northamptonshire, with her sights set on the Rio games. | Miss Connon is now back in training in an adapted boat in Oundle, Northamptonshire, with her sights set on the Rio games. |
"I rowed for Robinson College, Cambridge, when I was studying geography," she said. | "I rowed for Robinson College, Cambridge, when I was studying geography," she said. |
"I was accepted for the development squad and intended to trial, but then I became so unwell at the start of my second year that I had to give up rowing, using any energy I had for university work." | "I was accepted for the development squad and intended to trial, but then I became so unwell at the start of my second year that I had to give up rowing, using any energy I had for university work." |
'Life-changing' | 'Life-changing' |
Miss Connon was initially diagnosed with gastric dysmotility, where the muscles of the digestive system do not work properly. | Miss Connon was initially diagnosed with gastric dysmotility, where the muscles of the digestive system do not work properly. |
She was later rediagnosed with Ehlers Danlos and doctors began trying different nutrition methods. | She was later rediagnosed with Ehlers Danlos and doctors began trying different nutrition methods. |
"Now, I want to be the first intravenously-fed Paralympic champion," Miss Connon said. | "Now, I want to be the first intravenously-fed Paralympic champion," Miss Connon said. |
"This is what I should be doing in life. I went to see the victory parade and it was just amazing to see all the athletes, the crowds supporting them, and to look at the athletes with their gold medals. | "This is what I should be doing in life. I went to see the victory parade and it was just amazing to see all the athletes, the crowds supporting them, and to look at the athletes with their gold medals. |
"I just want to be there. It's what I want to do." | "I just want to be there. It's what I want to do." |
She described parenteral nutrition as "invasive but life-changing" for her. | She described parenteral nutrition as "invasive but life-changing" for her. |
"I am hooked up to my line and pump for 12 hours every night, but I now have enough energy to train in the swimming pool and in the gym most days of the week and travel to Oundle to train," she said. | "I am hooked up to my line and pump for 12 hours every night, but I now have enough energy to train in the swimming pool and in the gym most days of the week and travel to Oundle to train," she said. |
Before trying the new treatment Miss Connon had to be fed liquid nutrition through a tube into her small intestine. However, her digestive system was unable to cope with the food and she became more seriously ill. | Before trying the new treatment Miss Connon had to be fed liquid nutrition through a tube into her small intestine. However, her digestive system was unable to cope with the food and she became more seriously ill. |
"The support of my local PINNT group in Cambridge - Patients on Intravenous Naso-gastric Nutrition Treatment - at this point was absolutely critical," she said. | |
'Amazing woman' | 'Amazing woman' |
Sylvia Cottee, co-ordinator of the East Anglian branch of the charity, said: "Artificial nutrition treatment, though frequently life-saving, can be challenging regarding its impact on everyday life. | Sylvia Cottee, co-ordinator of the East Anglian branch of the charity, said: "Artificial nutrition treatment, though frequently life-saving, can be challenging regarding its impact on everyday life. |
"It can take a while for the individual and their family to adjust to the complex technology and the lifestyle changes." | "It can take a while for the individual and their family to adjust to the complex technology and the lifestyle changes." |
However, Miss Connon said the new feeding regime and the support of the charity had spurred her on to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics and to train to be a doctor. | However, Miss Connon said the new feeding regime and the support of the charity had spurred her on to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics and to train to be a doctor. |
Within six weeks of taking up rowing again, Miss Connon achieved first place at a sculling event in the arms and shoulders individual rowing category in Llandaff, and was second in the Home Nations International Rowing Regatta in Cardiff Bay in July. | Within six weeks of taking up rowing again, Miss Connon achieved first place at a sculling event in the arms and shoulders individual rowing category in Llandaff, and was second in the Home Nations International Rowing Regatta in Cardiff Bay in July. |
Her adaptive rowing coach at Oundle Town Rowing Club, Harriet Griffin, who works for British Rowing, said: "Her enthusiasm outweighs any other athlete I have met and her dedication is second to none. | Her adaptive rowing coach at Oundle Town Rowing Club, Harriet Griffin, who works for British Rowing, said: "Her enthusiasm outweighs any other athlete I have met and her dedication is second to none. |
"She is an amazing woman with incredible potential to even push towards Team GB and the Rio Paralympics. | "She is an amazing woman with incredible potential to even push towards Team GB and the Rio Paralympics. |
"I just hope Claire remembers me when she's on that podium." | "I just hope Claire remembers me when she's on that podium." |
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