Cerebral palsy no barrier to 8-year-old with a love of sport – Stuff.co.nz

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Charlotte Walker did not let cerebral palsy get in the way of competing at Challenge Wanaka this week.

Charlotte Walker has her sights set on this year's Halberg Games asher next step to realising her dream of donning the silver fern at the Paralympics.

The 8-year-old Timaru girl with cerebral palsy was the first to cross the finish line in the Challenge Wanaka adaptive event on Thursday.

She was the youngest competitor in the race for under 23s with physical or intellectual disabilities - swimming 50 metres, running about 500m, and biking three kilometres.

"She was shattered but she was absolutely delighted. She just loved it and had a blast," mother Kirstyn Walker said.

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"I was quite proud of her and how she handled the whole day."

The St Joseph's Pleasant Point pupil was now looking towards the Halberg Games, an annual three-day sports competition for eight to 21-year-olds with a physical or visual impairment, between October 2 and 5, 2020.

"I didn't think the para-sportsstarted until high school but then I found out about this one," Walker said.

Charlotte wanted to "wear the silver fern one day" and the only question was what sport her daughterwould pursue, she said.

"I think she wants to be a cyclist. She's been riding since day dot. But she's latched onto swimming too," she said.

"I have no doubt in my mind [she will one day compete in the Paralympics] because she's got no fear when she's racing with able-bodied people."

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Charlotte during the bike leg of the adaptive event.

Charlotte was diagnosed with mild spastic diplegic cerebral palsy when she was two years old.

"She has co-ordination and balance issues," Walker said.

But her disability neverheld her back.

"She just wants to get out there and do everything. If there's a race to be done, she'll do it. She will never give up and is actually quite determined to win, not just participate."

Walker said as well as cycling and swimming, Charlotte enjoyed netball, tee-ball, and takingpart in Riding for the Disabled.

Charlotte inspired her mother as she embarked on her own "health journey" about two years ago, and now the Walker family does duathlons and triathlons together.

"She's just an absolute inspiration and keeps us all going. The best part about it all is not only do we support her, she's always the first one to cheer for me or her brothers or her sister."

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