CHILDREN at Alvechurch Middle School were treated to a visit from a top UK rower this week when a Paralympic gold medalist stopped by.
Lauren Rowles, who along with partner Laurence Whiteley, took the gold in the mixed double sculls at the Rio Paralympics this summer, visited the school on Friday (September 30) to show the students her medal and share her experiences in a special school assembly.
An ex-pupil of the school, Lauren discovered her passion for athletics while at the school and was pleased to share her story with the students.
In February 2012, she lost the use of her legs when she suddenly developed transverse myelitis – a rare paralysing condition – however, she was determined to maintain an active lifestyle and started searching for a para-sport.
She decided to become a wheelchair track athlete and competed for England at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games before turning to rowing just last year.
“It’s so good to come back and spend some time at the school which gave me so much,” she said.
“I have always been into sports, but the best time to start is while you’re at school – it’s the best time to try things out and really find out what you like.
“I used to love all sports at school – cross-country running, rugby…anything really – but the school gave me the opportunity to try lots of different things and develop my passion.
“In Rio we talked a lot about why it’s so important that we can inspire another generation and it is something that I really believe in.
“It was lovely to meet the current Alvechurch Middle School sports captains as well, because I was a sports captain when I attended here.”
Lauren begins studying Law at university this autumn and is continuing to train hard.
Follow @RowlesLauren on Twitter.
