Team Tucker vs New York Marathon 2016!

I have been honoured to be part of Achilles for the past 9 years, and I am really happy to be making this New York Marathon my 10th Marathon.

I was born with Spina Bifida, I was quite an angry child, most probably more out of frustration than anything else, Spina Bifida has affected one side of my body mainly. My coordination is a bit iffy and I have a couple of weak muscles but we won’t go into that but needless to say when I have to go, I have to go, let’s just say I have an affinity with pavements and toilets, in fact, I could write a book on my experiences with public loos, cos if I’m not hitting one (pavements) I am looking for the other (toilets).

When I was growing up it was endless appointments at Middlemore hospital, up until I was about 10 years of age, shoes built up to help me walk, and the endless question to my mother, how come I was born with this, not really fair on her but you know kids. The teasing and non-acceptance, made me a quick witted young person, even today I am pretty fast with the come backs. Funny how the teasers end up being great friends.

My disability has never stopped me from trying anything, in fact sometimes I don’t see myself as disabled, and growing up main stream helped with that too, at school I tried all sorts of sports., I was so proud when I was the only kid that could open their eyes under the water in the swimming pool at primary school and those good set of lungs gave me a huge advantage to win the star fish competition cos I could see when everyone else stood up.

Running I thought would be good as it would keep me fit and it would strengthen my legs which would help with my balance well that was the plan. As I started to run I was like a toddler learning to walk for the first time took a few falls and left a bit of skin on the pavements of the North Shore. I would normally arrive home with blood pouring from my knees unless someone had given me a band aid. Both knees are pretty scarred now. I am also normally greeted at the local A& E (Shore Care) with ‘don’t I know you?’. (They are not like café’s where you get a coffee card if you’re a regular user).

Not sure if it’s my personality or my disability which has made me dog minded and determined to give anything a go, not sure it matters, as long as I do it.

It was around this time I saw an article in the North Shore times with Peter Loft and Achilles, I thought hmm another challenge, with likeminded people and people with similar or other disabilities, now that would get me going. I had a meeting with Peter - just to make sure that I qualified as being disabled!

Still, I believe something good will always come out of a bad situation. It wasn’t just good it was excellent, whether or not these long walks are good for me, I would rather try and hurt than sit on the couch and watch.

My experience with Achilles has been just great and the friendships I have made not only have I had the opportunity to compete in all sorts of events, would never had had this opportunity to compete without Achilles, they treat all athlete with respect and encouragement.