KELLY Katie

Classification
PTVI (World Triathlon, 25 Jun 2021)

Type of Impairment
Vision impairment (triathlon.org.au, 03 Aug 2016)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (triathlon.org, 19 Feb 2016)

Impairment Details
She has Usher syndrome, which is characterised by hearing and sight loss. She had hearing loss from birth and her vision started degenerating in her mid-20s. "In many ways, I don't perceive that Usher syndrome has impacted my life. I view it as just a way of life and no different to everyone else's own conditions or circumstances. Living with a hearing loss from birth and wearing hearing aids since five years of age made me determined and independent." (harveynorman.com.au, 28 Sep 2018; mamamia.com.au, 10 Sep 2016; triathlon.org.au, 03 Aug 2016)

Guide
Briarna Silk (Instagram profile, 19 Jul 2021)

General
GUIDE
In 2018 she began working with guide Briarna Silk. Previously she was guided by Australian triathlete Michellie Jones, and together with Jones she won gold in the women's PT5 event at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "Bri's role is a combination of guide, coach and race tactician. Our communication is very streamlined and it's about clear, concise language and cues to ensure we are on sync and powering our way through the course. We are tethered in the swim, ride a tandem, and then are tethered for the run." (skynews.com.au, 22 Jul 2021; sportune.com.au, 15 Mar 2021; Triathlon Australia Facebook page, 30 Aug 2020)

INSPIRATION
After winning gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro she had an encounter with a child who had leukaemia. At the time Kelly found her eyesight was deteriorating further and says that the meeting renewed her motivation. "A pivotal moment came when I met a young girl called Ruby in December 2016 after the Rio Paralympics. I was on an incredible high after winning the gold medal, but I had separated from my partner, and I found my eyesight was deteriorating further. Ruby was seven years old at the time and she had been following my Para triathlon journey in Rio. When I met Ruby at her home, I was taken aback by this most gentle, spirited little girl who had nearly lost her life to leukaemia. She had the most beautiful smile and wanted to know all about competing in Para triathlon. I had to hold back my tears. Ruby gave me perspective and reminded me that our own challenges are simply what we make them - no more or less." (harveynorman.com.au, 28 Sep 2018)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In 2016 she established the Sport Access Foundation, which offers grants to Australian children with impairments. She has also worked with Blind Sports Australia and Deaf Sports Australia. In April 2021 she was announced co-patron of the 2022 Australian Deaf Games. "Sport Access Foundation is a way of being able to give back to what I have been so lucky to experience - to ensure our next generation of young Australians living with a disability have every opportunity and access to play and participate in sport on any level. It's fantastic to know that three of our earlier grant recipients are now set to take the world stage at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo." (Deaf Sports Australia Facebook page, 19 Jul 2021; Twitter profile, 08 Jul 2021; sportaccessfoundation.org.au, 01 Jul 2020, 13 Apr 2021; magnetite.com.au, 15 Oct 2019; harveynorman.com.au, 28 Sep 2018)

FURTHER EDUCATION
She has studied for a master's degree in business at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia. (usherkidsaustralia.com, 31 Dec 2016)

She became the first Australian Para triathlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Games, when she claimed gold in the women's PT5 event at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (theinnersanctum.com.au, 19 Jul 2021; SportsDeskOnline, 12 Aug 2021)