JARVIS Sharon

Classification
GRADE IV (FEI, 19 Aug 2021)

Type of Impairment
Impaired range of motion (paralympic.org.au, 16 Feb 2012)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (paralympic.org.au, 16 Feb 2012)

Impairment Details
She was given three months to live after she was diagnosed with bone cancer in her left femur at age seven. Following 12 months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she made a full recovery but a year later she broke the leg in the same place the tumour had been located. She required a number of operations and bone grafts, and has been left with limited movement and strength from the waist down, particularly on the left side of her body. "The biggest thing that can affect me from day-to-day is the nerve pain [speaking in 2021]. I have a normal daily level along with other pains, but if a bad attack happens it is about the only thing that can put me out of action for a bit." (eqlifemag.com.au, 07 May 2021; paralympic.org.au, 16 Feb 2012)

General
RETIREMENT PLAN
She has studied for a degree in coaching so she can stay in the sport after she retires. "I decided to enrol in the undergraduate sports coaching certificate at the Australian College of Physical Education as it is highly likely that I will retire from competing internationally after the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. I will stay involved in my sport as it is my passion and because of this I felt the course was a good opportunity to learn more about myself and what I believe effective coaching and coaching programmes to be." (acpe.edu.au, 03 Mar 2021)

PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE
She competed at the Paralympic Games in 2008 and 2016. "Each Games provides a different experience. I honestly thought the Paralympics would just have the leftovers of what the Olympics had. I was so very wrong. The Paralympics was not a leftovers event, everything was put on with pomp and ceremony. It was such a special feeling knowing it was all put on for us. For Beijing [in 2008] the equestrian events took place in Hong Kong, away from the main games in Beijing. The facilities were phenomenal, it felt like we were at a big horse show. In the individual championship test, I came the worst place possible, fourth. I had sat in bronze medal position until the last rider went and they beat me. It was devastating, so close, yet so far. But it really put the fire in my belly to go again! I missed London in 2012 due to injury to my horse and I made the decision to retire him from competition. Going into Rio I had a much better understanding of what to expect at a Games. And I think as an outcome of this I could be in the moment and enjoy the time a bit more. The competition for me did not pan out exactly as I had hoped, and that had its own adventures, but then that's Games for you. I can honestly say it was still overall my favourite games to go to. And again the fire is still in my belly to go again." (livingequine.com.au, 24 Aug 2020)

COACH
She began working with coach Rozzie Ryan in 2009. "It was a dream come true when I had my first lesson with her in September 2009. She is someone who I admired as a rider for a long time. Rozzie is honest, she will say how hard it is, and she will also not let you get away with things; she expects you to work hard too. I appreciate this in a person. The other added bonus is that she has been on Australian teams so knows what it is truly like at the high performance end of the sport. Over time Rozzie has got to know me, and can now see if I am fatigued, sore or having a bad day, but not much is said about it, it's just a recognition of it. Without her I honestly would not have achieved so much of what I have. She helps create the belief in myself that I can do it, and I'm very, very appreciative of that." (eqlifemag.com.au, 07 May 2021; livingequine.com.au, 24 Aug 2020)

OTHER ROLES
In early 2021 she was appointed Equestrian Australia's Para equestrian pathways co-ordinator. "It's really exciting, because it's not a role that has been available previously. I also think it's quite exciting being the first person with a disability to be employed by our national sporting organisation to be involved with the actual sport. I think that produces a really incredible opportunity to make a difference within the sport. After my Tokyo selection campaign, it's something I will be able to really grasp with both hands and get involved in more, and take forward in a great direction in terms of talent identification and talent development. The aim is that in the future, those riders identified can then lead into the high performance end of the sport." (eqlifemag.com.au, 07 May 2021)

AMBASSADOR
In 2014 she became ambassador of Sock It to Sarcoma, a cancer charity in Australia. "I find this a very special thing to be a part of. To be a small part of this is very special and if it encourages someone to go to the doctor and ask about a pain or lump in their body that won't