CHILDREN at Alvechurch Middle School were treated to a visit from a top UK rower this week when a Paralympic gold medalist from Bromsgrove stopped by.
Lauren Rowles, who along with partner Laurence Whiteley, took the gold in the mixed double sculls at the Rio Olympics this summer, visited the school last Friday (September 30) to show the students her medal and share her Paralympic experiences in a special school assembly.
An ex-pupil of the school, Lauren discovered her passion for athletics there and was pleased to share her story with the students.
In February 2012, Lauren 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.
Lauren attended the middle school growing up and was pleased to be back.
“I hope to inspire the kids a bit and show them what is possible.
“It’s so good to come back and spend some time at the school who 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 opportunities 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 of athletes 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 her on Twitter @RowlesLauren
