Even at 14 years old, Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy was doing everything she could to be part of the Paralympic Games.
In the run-up to Sydney 2000, O’Kelly-Kennedy spent a year fundraising and finding sponsors to ensure 12 young people with disabilities could attend the Games.
“I was part of a group of kids who were missing parts, we were called the limb kids, the unofficial cheerleading team of the Sydney Paralympic Games,” she told ABC Sport.
Watching the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team, the Gliders, was a highlight.
“We got used to taking off our (prosthetic) legs, feet and arms and having them up in the air so all the Paralympic athletes could see and then they would usually come looking for us.”
O’Kelly-Kennedy’s enthusiastic movement with her prosthetic leg caught the attention of star player Liesl Tesch, who went and spoke to the group, including another future Australian representative, Bridie Kean.
“She said ‘someday you’ll be Gliders,'” O’Kelly-Kennedy said.
“And fast forward to 2008, we were her teammates at the Beijing Games and won a bronze medal with her, so it was a really good circle.
“Witnessing (the sport) at that level had a huge impact on me and what I wanted to do.”
Second sports career
As it turned out, Beijing would be O’Kelly-Kennedy’s only Paralympic appearance, although she continued her playing career, including a stint abroad.
After her retirement, she returned home to Melbourne and was “lost” until her sporting career was unexpectedly revived when she volunteered to become a foster carer for three teenagers.
During that period, she was given time during the week to take breaks and a friend suggested she try rowing as an outlet.
“It was supposed to be for fun and for that break, but if you’ve been an elite athlete, it’s very hard not to be competitive at everything, whether it’s playing cards or whatever,” he said.
“So they very quickly threw out a little carrot and said, ‘You could be pretty good at this, you could see if you can go to other Paralympic Games.’
“It was very difficult to say no to that.”
Rating on the cards
The 37-year-old won a scholarship from the Western Australian Institute of Sports and was selected for her first Australian Paracanoe team in 2022.
Now he is about to qualify for the Paris Paralympic Games, where he must finish in the top 10 in his event at the World Paracanoe Championships in Hungary, from May 9 to 11.
“I think it’s definitely possible because I finished in the top 10 last year, but I know everyone went out there and worked really hard, just like I did,” he said.
O’Kelly-Kennedy is optimistic about her chances, but she can also see the bigger picture.
“I’ve experienced every possible up and down in sport, and (going to Paris) would be an incredible experience.
“But it also wouldn’t be the end of the world (if I don’t qualify) because I am in love and will always be in love with the Paralympic Games and the Paralympic movement.”
And she is willing to use her prosthetic leg again if necessary, just like that 14-year-old girl from Sydney.
“If I don’t go (to Paris) I’ll be glued to the screen. I might even try to sell one of my old legs to get a ticket there so I can cheer from the stands.”
