From Vision in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam, calling.

From Vision in Australia, this is talking vision. And now here's your host, Sam, calling.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness and low vision.

It's just wonderful when there's Australians around us that are authentic and genuine in their commitment and their giving. And BRI has given me so much, and I'm so appreciative of that.

It's just wonderful when there's Australians around us that are authentic and genuine in their commitment and their giving. And BRI has given me so much, and I'm so appreciative of that.

Welcome to the program. You just heard from para triathlete Katie Kelly talking about her relationship with her guide Bree and her gratitude to the people who have supported her. Stephen Jolley caught up with Katie in the second of our Paralympics interviews. I'm talking vision and you'll hear from them later in the show. But first I caught up recently with Vision Australia's Belinda Wilson about an upcoming podcast on Vision Australia radio she's hosting called The Career Path. Belinda recently launched a survey to gain perspectives from the blind and low vision community on employment and what topics would be useful to hear about. So if you or someone you know is interested in having your say, be sure to stay tuned. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. I started by asking Belinda to tell us more about the idea behind the podcast.

Welcome to the program. You just heard from para triathlete Katie Kelly talking about her relationship with her guide Bree and her gratitude to the people who have supported her. Stephen Jolley caught up with Katie in the second of our Paralympics interviews. I'm talking vision and you'll hear from them later in the show. But first I caught up recently with Vision Australia's Belinda Wilson about an upcoming podcast on Vision Australia radio she's hosting called The Career Path. Belinda recently launched a survey to gain perspectives from the blind and low vision community on employment and what topics would be useful to hear about. So if you or someone you know is interested in having your say, be sure to stay tuned. I hope you enjoy this week's episode of Talking Vision. I started by asking Belinda to tell us more about the idea behind the podcast.

Yeah, absolutely. I think most of the people in the life of Low Vision Committee know that employment is an issue. It is a challenge and we talk a lot about statistics. So I would say, you know, this percentage is employed. This person is underemployed. This percentage, this is the sentence that the percentages don't really tell stories sometimes. And what we want to hear is we want to hear stories from people who are either looking for work or have secured work or, you know, potentially even employers. And the reason why we want to hear these stories is to help shape a podcast that can really assist people who are looking for work who maybe needs strategies of going into work and what's know about all the different areas that people who apply that low vision can perform and do perform extremely well.

Yeah, absolutely. I think most of the people in the life of Low Vision Committee know that employment is an issue. It is a challenge and we talk a lot about statistics. So I would say, you know, this percentage is employed. This person is underemployed. This percentage, this is the sentence that the percentages don't really tell stories sometimes. And what we want to hear is we want to hear stories from people who are either looking for work or have secured work or, you know, potentially even employers. And the reason why we want to hear these stories is to help shape a podcast that can really assist people who are looking for work who maybe needs strategies of going into work and what's know about all the different areas that people who apply that low vision can perform and do perform extremely well.

Okay. And as mentioned in the introduction, I understand there'll also be a survey will be running over the next while to hear from those people that that you've just mentioned, plus potentially other groups as well. So who are you looking to hear from in particular?

Okay. And as mentioned in the introduction, I understand there'll also be a survey will be running over the next while to hear from those people that that you've just mentioned, plus potentially other groups as well. So who are you looking to hear from in particular?

Well, the survey is really going to inform what the podcast ends up being. So we want to hear from everyone all ages, all different, the different areas of Victoria and New South Wales, Tasmania, the old territory, south strips of the whole Australia. We want hear about from everyone because what I'm hoping will happen through the survey is to start to develop some themes that people really want to talk about and then we can integrate those into the podcast, and that's something that's really useful. I think a 10 series podcasts covering different topics can work in a number of different ways for people. It can be educational in terms of informing people about the types of risks. It can be inspirational by knowing about the different categories that people can follow. It can be something that can really make people aware of these the skills I need in order to go to employment and these charges that I may face and also allow people to know some resources that may be able to help them in terms of finding employment, or even in terms of people who might be changing careers later in life or have gotten a first job. We want to hear from absolutely everyone.

Well, the survey is really going to inform what the podcast ends up being. So we want to hear from everyone all ages, all different, the different areas of Victoria and New South Wales, Tasmania, the old territory, south strips of the whole Australia. We want hear about from everyone because what I'm hoping will happen through the survey is to start to develop some themes that people really want to talk about and then we can integrate those into the podcast, and that's something that's really useful. I think a 10 series podcasts covering different topics can work in a number of different ways for people. It can be educational in terms of informing people about the types of risks. It can be inspirational by knowing about the different categories that people can follow. It can be something that can really make people aware of these the skills I need in order to go to employment and these charges that I may face and also allow people to know some resources that may be able to help them in terms of finding employment, or even in terms of people who might be changing careers later in life or have gotten a first job. We want to hear from absolutely everyone.

And when will the podcast be taking place? I understand there might be a bit of a rough outline. You're aiming to get it happening around October. Is that right?

And when will the podcast be taking place? I understand there might be a bit of a rough outline. You're aiming to get it happening around October. Is that right?

We are hoping to start recording in October, so I understand it is a tight timeframe and things may, may change a little. But we're hoping that throughout September we'll really get the feedback from people and stop contacting people and start doing interviews in October. Then we're hoping to, you know, release them as they go along. And we're hoping that the page that is the survey page will turn to a page that will have the podcast listed what people can, you know, reach them and they can they can listen to them and you know, and basically have it be a resource.

We are hoping to start recording in October, so I understand it is a tight timeframe and things may, may change a little. But we're hoping that throughout September we'll really get the feedback from people and stop contacting people and start doing interviews in October. Then we're hoping to, you know, release them as they go along. And we're hoping that the page that is the survey page will turn to a page that will have the podcast listed what people can, you know, reach them and they can they can listen to them and you know, and basically have it be a resource.

Okay. So speaking of that page, Belinda, how can people take part in the survey to have their say on the podcast?

Okay. So speaking of that page, Belinda, how can people take part in the survey to have their say on the podcast?

But there's different ways that people can reach, but I think the easiest way to reach is probably through the website. So the website is W WW Dot Vision, a straight forward slash career path. Again, that's w w w dot Vision Australia tallgrass report. And that's the way that they can put in their information without actually going through the website is they can just write to the email address, which is career podcast at Vision Australia Talk or if they really want to, they can call Vision Australia on one, three hundred eight or seven four six six and us speak to me, Belinda Wilson. You can fill out the survey anonymously, or you can choose to have your name involved. So if you want to just provide information about, you know, your perspective and you don't want to be identified, that's your choice. If you do want to be identified or potentially interviewed, you can leave your information for us to contact you.

But there's different ways that people can reach, but I think the easiest way to reach is probably through the website. So the website is W WW Dot Vision, a straight forward slash career path. Again, that's w w w dot Vision Australia tallgrass report. And that's the way that they can put in their information without actually going through the website is they can just write to the email address, which is career podcast at Vision Australia Talk or if they really want to, they can call Vision Australia on one, three hundred eight or seven four six six and us speak to me, Belinda Wilson. You can fill out the survey anonymously, or you can choose to have your name involved. So if you want to just provide information about, you know, your perspective and you don't want to be identified, that's your choice. If you do want to be identified or potentially interviewed, you can leave your information for us to contact you.

And as Belinda mentioned briefly before, you can also keep in touch on that website that she's mentioned WW Vision Australia. Org slash career path. And the recordings will pop up there down the track, so keep an eye out for those. That was Belinda Wilson there, the prospective host of the career path and upcoming podcast all about employment for people who are blind or have low vision. And now his state of Angelina with Katie Kelly, Katie was on an international connection from Tokyo, so they advised you might hear Katie's audio breakup very slightly once or twice. Stephen began by asking Katie to tell us more about her recent experiences in Tokyo, as well as the last time she was at the Paralympics in Rio.

And as Belinda mentioned briefly before, you can also keep in touch on that website that she's mentioned WW Vision Australia. Org slash career path. And the recordings will pop up there down the track, so keep an eye out for those. That was Belinda Wilson there, the prospective host of the career path and upcoming podcast all about employment for people who are blind or have low vision. And now his state of Angelina with Katie Kelly, Katie was on an international connection from Tokyo, so they advised you might hear Katie's audio breakup very slightly once or twice. Stephen began by asking Katie to tell us more about her recent experiences in Tokyo, as well as the last time she was at the Paralympics in Rio.

That's right. Yes, I've just arrived 60 days ago here in Tokyo in an extraordinary heat and humidity, and it was an honor that it was my second time at the Paralympics. It was at Rio where Paratriathlon Diabate and I was very fortunate to have the god of Nikki Haley Jones. She won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics and an outstanding triathlete and the legend of the sport. And we created history. We were the first para triathletes in Australia to win a medal and a gold medal. And you know, it was just such a magical day. I had my friends and family. They all came over from Rio. I never imagined that I'd go to one Paralympics, let alone two. And after Rio, I thought I still had a little bit more to give. And so I committed to Tokyo. And here we are. It was. It's been an epic five years. I moved to the Gold Coast and trained with a new coach, Dan Atkins, and teamed up with another guy from Brisbane. So lots of mixed emotions after that race on Saturday here in Tokyo.

That's right. Yes, I've just arrived 60 days ago here in Tokyo in an extraordinary heat and humidity, and it was an honor that it was my second time at the Paralympics. It was at Rio where Paratriathlon Diabate and I was very fortunate to have the god of Nikki Haley Jones. She won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics and an outstanding triathlete and the legend of the sport. And we created history. We were the first para triathletes in Australia to win a medal and a gold medal. And you know, it was just such a magical day. I had my friends and family. They all came over from Rio. I never imagined that I'd go to one Paralympics, let alone two. And after Rio, I thought I still had a little bit more to give. And so I committed to Tokyo. And here we are. It was. It's been an epic five years. I moved to the Gold Coast and trained with a new coach, Dan Atkins, and teamed up with another guy from Brisbane. So lots of mixed emotions after that race on Saturday here in Tokyo.

So you came around the middle of the field. You were sixth field of 14, the set, right?

So you came around the middle of the field. You were sixth field of 14, the set, right?

Yeah, that's right. So that the Asian impaired class, there's two ways the big ones, it's not three minutes 48 ahead of the rest of the field in the be one television extraordinary athletes. I have so much admiration that they compete in a triathlon with no vision at all. Of course, we all have guys, and the race was taken out by one sheet developed over the years and. There's probably some pain for be done there than I am, and I'm much older than a lot of the other athletes that she won the race and then an Italian girl and a French girl. And second and third. And it was a disgrace. It took everything out of me to is a reasonable because quite fast that some technical corners, Brady wrote. A really great race on that tandem bike.

Yeah, that's right. So that the Asian impaired class, there's two ways the big ones, it's not three minutes 48 ahead of the rest of the field in the be one television extraordinary athletes. I have so much admiration that they compete in a triathlon with no vision at all. Of course, we all have guys, and the race was taken out by one sheet developed over the years and. There's probably some pain for be done there than I am, and I'm much older than a lot of the other athletes that she won the race and then an Italian girl and a French girl. And second and third. And it was a disgrace. It took everything out of me to is a reasonable because quite fast that some technical corners, Brady wrote. A really great race on that tandem bike.

And then you swim 750 metres. You ride a bike heifer.

And then you swim 750 metres. You ride a bike heifer.

20 kilometers,

20 kilometers,

20 kilometers, and you run five K at the end.

20 kilometers, and you run five K at the end.

That's it.

That's it.

Yeah. That's all in about one hour, 12 minutes roughly. I think the windows were a little bit faster than that, but you were around that time. That's a long time to be putting your body through such torture.

Yeah. That's all in about one hour, 12 minutes roughly. I think the windows were a little bit faster than that, but you were around that time. That's a long time to be putting your body through such torture.

Yeah, I guess it's about one hour I when you take off three minutes, forty eight, it's intense. It is. Yeah, it's required absolutely 100 percent focused to execute every element of that race together. And you can imagine the guard Romania, they guiding their flight free the court. You know that this remark is out there in the boys. So I get tapped on the shoulder tonight, a ten 90 degrees shop and getting out of the water. She grabs my elbow every unclip Typekit. I run down to the board. Dismount the bike. Put your helmet on. Get your bike shoes on. Mount off on the side of caution. She's yelling out corners up out of the saddle, then on to the run. The transition to the run. Getting your nutrition in your hydration. Yeah, your head being hit. Then there's so much more than we might run as well. But for the goal, this is a massive task in being a guide in triathlon. It's not just what you say, some of the sprinting races, which is extraordinary, not to take anything away, but certainly triathlon is a lot involved.

Yeah, I guess it's about one hour I when you take off three minutes, forty eight, it's intense. It is. Yeah, it's required absolutely 100 percent focused to execute every element of that race together. And you can imagine the guard Romania, they guiding their flight free the court. You know that this remark is out there in the boys. So I get tapped on the shoulder tonight, a ten 90 degrees shop and getting out of the water. She grabs my elbow every unclip Typekit. I run down to the board. Dismount the bike. Put your helmet on. Get your bike shoes on. Mount off on the side of caution. She's yelling out corners up out of the saddle, then on to the run. The transition to the run. Getting your nutrition in your hydration. Yeah, your head being hit. Then there's so much more than we might run as well. But for the goal, this is a massive task in being a guide in triathlon. It's not just what you say, some of the sprinting races, which is extraordinary, not to take anything away, but certainly triathlon is a lot involved.

I will remember McKayla Jones performance in Sydney in 2000 and your guide this time. Tell us about her.

I will remember McKayla Jones performance in Sydney in 2000 and your guide this time. Tell us about her.

Rachel, outstanding young woman from Brisbane. She put a hand up when we were put a call out to the triathlon community in Queensland. She done a lot of racing and ironman heart racing and she tried out and she put her hand up in an environment she hadn't been in in terms of high performance and work full time in Brisbane. She would leave Brisbane at four a.m. to meet me on the Gold Coast to try and several times a week on the tandem. She's been doing that now for four years, so just a huge investment on her part and such a selfless person. So committed and and you know, I guess we all know having a disability or a challenge or impairment, whatever you want to call it, as vision loss, we have to rely on other people as much as we want to be independent. Sometimes we have to do that. And it's just wonderful when there's Australians around us that are authentic and genuine in their commitment and their giving. And Bree has given me so much, and I'm so appreciative of that.

Rachel, outstanding young woman from Brisbane. She put a hand up when we were put a call out to the triathlon community in Queensland. She done a lot of racing and ironman heart racing and she tried out and she put her hand up in an environment she hadn't been in in terms of high performance and work full time in Brisbane. She would leave Brisbane at four a.m. to meet me on the Gold Coast to try and several times a week on the tandem. She's been doing that now for four years, so just a huge investment on her part and such a selfless person. So committed and and you know, I guess we all know having a disability or a challenge or impairment, whatever you want to call it, as vision loss, we have to rely on other people as much as we want to be independent. Sometimes we have to do that. And it's just wonderful when there's Australians around us that are authentic and genuine in their commitment and their giving. And Bree has given me so much, and I'm so appreciative of that.

How long did it take you to realize that Bree would be the one you'd be working with in the in the time coming up to Tokyo? Like, you wouldn't know that when you first met someone?

How long did it take you to realize that Bree would be the one you'd be working with in the in the time coming up to Tokyo? Like, you wouldn't know that when you first met someone?

Yeah, that's a good question. There was another God Holacracy, another outstanding young person, and she was a bit younger than Mary. And I guess I lean more towards Grace, who is a bit closer to me an age. But Holly, a beautiful young person who was so keen to help out and these other elements that you look for. I was looking at the whole person, not just their athletic capability. It's really important to me that I had someone who shared my values, integrity, commitment and someone on who I could trust on every level. And Bri Bri was all of that. So then it takes a long time to harness the partnership on the bike and the partnership in a triathlon race. And it takes a long time to get the communication right. Just the presence that you both have on race day and that people like you would, you would appreciate behind the scene over for you. There's a lot of work that goes into that.

Yeah, that's a good question. There was another God Holacracy, another outstanding young person, and she was a bit younger than Mary. And I guess I lean more towards Grace, who is a bit closer to me an age. But Holly, a beautiful young person who was so keen to help out and these other elements that you look for. I was looking at the whole person, not just their athletic capability. It's really important to me that I had someone who shared my values, integrity, commitment and someone on who I could trust on every level. And Bri Bri was all of that. So then it takes a long time to harness the partnership on the bike and the partnership in a triathlon race. And it takes a long time to get the communication right. Just the presence that you both have on race day and that people like you would, you would appreciate behind the scene over for you. There's a lot of work that goes into that.

And that was the first portion of Stephen Jolly in conversation with para triathlete Katie Kelly joining us from Tokyo on Sam Kelly, and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia radio associated stations of our age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just stop talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now back to Stephen and Katie. Steven picked up the conversation by asking Katie about the guides and how they interact with the three separate disciplines. I started off by talking about the swimming leg in particular.

And that was the first portion of Stephen Jolly in conversation with para triathlete Katie Kelly joining us from Tokyo on Sam Kelly, and you're listening to Talking Vision on Vision Australia radio associated stations of our age and the community radio network. If you'd like to find out more about the program, like where to find your local radio frequency or listen to past programs, you can find all this info and more on the Talking Vision web page. Just stop talking vision into your search engine, or you can find the program on the podcast app of your choice or through the Vision Australia Library. And now back to Stephen and Katie. Steven picked up the conversation by asking Katie about the guides and how they interact with the three separate disciplines. I started off by talking about the swimming leg in particular.

Yeah, sure. So I'm fortunate enough in that I'm still able to swim solo in a line where I can say to the Black Line and are lucky that I have aligned myself where we swim. That won't always be the case, but when we do open water swimming where you know, I have a bit of it strapped around our leg and then we have like a linear caravan eclipse on each leg and the elastic in between. Swimming is all about trying to sit on her hips to get that streamlined. So there's a lot of practising of open water swimming, really trying to stay on your ships. And as you might imagine, that involves a lot of head knocks. And, you know, I drift away from her as she can feel that tug. And then I know when I'm sitting in the right position, when it just sort of feels easy and my arm is literally wiping down past her hips and her thigh so that that the swim. And when we get to a mark or where we need to turn, she taps my showed up and we'll talk about it before the race issue. So when I tap your shoulder the first time, that's a 90 degree turn or it's a forty five degree turn or it's a U-turn. So we'll we'll talk through that and I'll know what each tap means and whether what type of, Tan added. And I also know that when we hit a marker and it's a turn, that's when I need to lift and accelerate and keep more. Yep, so that's kind of how we work it through the swim.

Yeah, sure. So I'm fortunate enough in that I'm still able to swim solo in a line where I can say to the Black Line and are lucky that I have aligned myself where we swim. That won't always be the case, but when we do open water swimming where you know, I have a bit of it strapped around our leg and then we have like a linear caravan eclipse on each leg and the elastic in between. Swimming is all about trying to sit on her hips to get that streamlined. So there's a lot of practising of open water swimming, really trying to stay on your ships. And as you might imagine, that involves a lot of head knocks. And, you know, I drift away from her as she can feel that tug. And then I know when I'm sitting in the right position, when it just sort of feels easy and my arm is literally wiping down past her hips and her thigh so that that the swim. And when we get to a mark or where we need to turn, she taps my showed up and we'll talk about it before the race issue. So when I tap your shoulder the first time, that's a 90 degree turn or it's a forty five degree turn or it's a U-turn. So we'll we'll talk through that and I'll know what each tap means and whether what type of, Tan added. And I also know that when we hit a marker and it's a turn, that's when I need to lift and accelerate and keep more. Yep, so that's kind of how we work it through the swim.

Tell us about them, the bike.

Tell us about them, the bike.

The tandem bike is I mean, we've got an amazing carbon tandem bike we had made in America. It's a it's it's it's a I guess it's not like a Toronto, a bike that you must say in the village. So with the tandem on I like the Typekit course, it had a couple of U-turns, a couple of bending turns. And when it's a U-turn or you yell out, you re coming up. And because we've gone over that for so many times, I know that actually changing the course next to 90 degree change, you get so good at very practicing free training that acceleration out of the shadow is she doesn't need to call that out. I just feel her knowing we're going around a corner, way up out of the shuttle. When we're passing a competitor, she'll be like passing. And when she's she'll say that very loud and all night and I need to lift. We're passing so much more aggressive. Yeah, my position on the bike is very much trying to get that time to our position to get that effective sort of stream. And when we're mounting and dismounting with the chute, she'll go right to our left shoe at her. So very strategic specific words that are across the course.

The tandem bike is I mean, we've got an amazing carbon tandem bike we had made in America. It's a it's it's it's a I guess it's not like a Toronto, a bike that you must say in the village. So with the tandem on I like the Typekit course, it had a couple of U-turns, a couple of bending turns. And when it's a U-turn or you yell out, you re coming up. And because we've gone over that for so many times, I know that actually changing the course next to 90 degree change, you get so good at very practicing free training that acceleration out of the shadow is she doesn't need to call that out. I just feel her knowing we're going around a corner, way up out of the shuttle. When we're passing a competitor, she'll be like passing. And when she's she'll say that very loud and all night and I need to lift. We're passing so much more aggressive. Yeah, my position on the bike is very much trying to get that time to our position to get that effective sort of stream. And when we're mounting and dismounting with the chute, she'll go right to our left shoe at her. So very strategic specific words that are across the course.

And then with the running.

And then with the running.

With the running. She's gotten me through in terms of the just ahead, come on, we're chasing the Canadians, come on, relax your breathing, stay with me water stations coming out, you want water? Hey, relax your breathing, and it's just that constant check around and she's like, Come on, pick it up, pick it up. You've got to pick it up now or so. Each guide is a little bit different, is quite vocal. And I just try and get in my own rhythm and take on her kind of verbal cues of what's happening,

With the running. She's gotten me through in terms of the just ahead, come on, we're chasing the Canadians, come on, relax your breathing, stay with me water stations coming out, you want water? Hey, relax your breathing, and it's just that constant check around and she's like, Come on, pick it up, pick it up. You've got to pick it up now or so. Each guide is a little bit different, is quite vocal. And I just try and get in my own rhythm and take on her kind of verbal cues of what's happening,

who's making the pace.

who's making the pace.

Katy, she setting the pace, but she can obviously only run as fast as I can run. So sometimes I feel her pulling me a little bit, and that's when I know she wants me to pick it up. And if I'm not going with her, she kind of sit side by side. But she we've done enough running together. She knows when the coach knows, okay, we think you should do a 30 50 type pace. And if I'm sitting on a 10, she knows I've got to pick it up. And what's a

Katy, she setting the pace, but she can obviously only run as fast as I can run. So sometimes I feel her pulling me a little bit, and that's when I know she wants me to pick it up. And if I'm not going with her, she kind of sit side by side. But she we've done enough running together. She knows when the coach knows, okay, we think you should do a 30 50 type pace. And if I'm sitting on a 10, she knows I've got to pick it up. And what's a

three fifteen mean,

three fifteen mean,

a three 50k pace that sort of takes you? Oh, per k yes. Yeah, OK,

a three 50k pace that sort of takes you? Oh, per k yes. Yeah, OK,

yeah, that's interesting. So that'd be the same in the in the swimming and in the cycling that she's actually making the pace. But you've got to keep with it, but it's harder for you to drive it because you don't know the best time to surge. Is that right?

yeah, that's interesting. So that'd be the same in the in the swimming and in the cycling that she's actually making the pace. But you've got to keep with it, but it's harder for you to drive it because you don't know the best time to surge. Is that right?

You know, I guess in the swim, I'm going flat out and then she will keep trying to position herself, so I stay, I'm on her hips. Mm-Hmm. So if I somehow managed to swim ahead of her, she knows to push ahead of me so that I'm on her hip. But she can always like you just do your swim and all move to where you are. Yeah. So for me, it's just about feeling fine and going flat out. And then she'll adjust her position as needed. Yeah, that's something on the No. Drifted too much to the chagrin of me, and I'd sit on her hips again and then in the bike would be driving and pushing it as she can. And that's where you get your advantage, obviously too strong. You got your driver on the bike to really work hard for you. But she'll feel if I'd drop drop the cadence speed drop, she'll be like, Come on, pick it up, pick it up and then I'll pick it up. She'd be like, Good, I can hold that momentum on the bike, which can really go up another level. But if I'm dropping down, I'm dragging the train, so to speak. Yep.

You know, I guess in the swim, I'm going flat out and then she will keep trying to position herself, so I stay, I'm on her hips. Mm-Hmm. So if I somehow managed to swim ahead of her, she knows to push ahead of me so that I'm on her hip. But she can always like you just do your swim and all move to where you are. Yeah. So for me, it's just about feeling fine and going flat out. And then she'll adjust her position as needed. Yeah, that's something on the No. Drifted too much to the chagrin of me, and I'd sit on her hips again and then in the bike would be driving and pushing it as she can. And that's where you get your advantage, obviously too strong. You got your driver on the bike to really work hard for you. But she'll feel if I'd drop drop the cadence speed drop, she'll be like, Come on, pick it up, pick it up and then I'll pick it up. She'd be like, Good, I can hold that momentum on the bike, which can really go up another level. But if I'm dropping down, I'm dragging the train, so to speak. Yep.

Now I understand that you're you're changing your footwear and probably headgear, of course, for the cycling and the running. You're wearing the same body suit all the way, which is optimized. Is it for the three disciplines?

Now I understand that you're you're changing your footwear and probably headgear, of course, for the cycling and the running. You're wearing the same body suit all the way, which is optimized. Is it for the three disciplines?

Yeah, we have the triathlon status one piece. And what we do is waist. And it was Bray's idea. We stitched a little black elastic band on the part of the suit on our inside near our hips. So her mom stitched on for us is black thick, elastic band and so on the run. That's where we could hook our caravan or our tether. Some of the other VIP runners will run with a tether, holding it in their hand. But I find that restricts my riding and because I can still see somewhat straight ahead and I've got loose central vision. I don't need that feeling. Mm-Hmm. So I can run independently. Yeah. So the tether system obviously very individualized for athletes according to what your site is and what you what your capabilities are. So our race to it was a beautiful green shoot with indigenous print on it. We got so many comments about that high technology, very heated and the water literally just slicks off the suit.

Yeah, we have the triathlon status one piece. And what we do is waist. And it was Bray's idea. We stitched a little black elastic band on the part of the suit on our inside near our hips. So her mom stitched on for us is black thick, elastic band and so on the run. That's where we could hook our caravan or our tether. Some of the other VIP runners will run with a tether, holding it in their hand. But I find that restricts my riding and because I can still see somewhat straight ahead and I've got loose central vision. I don't need that feeling. Mm-Hmm. So I can run independently. Yeah. So the tether system obviously very individualized for athletes according to what your site is and what you what your capabilities are. So our race to it was a beautiful green shoot with indigenous print on it. We got so many comments about that high technology, very heated and the water literally just slicks off the suit.

Yes, very good. And now also you did compete before your vision loss. Didn't you used to run half marathons and marathons and things like that?

Yes, very good. And now also you did compete before your vision loss. Didn't you used to run half marathons and marathons and things like that?

Well, in some ways you can say I've always had a vision and lost because. It's a degenerative condition after German and a January 20, and I used to be able to run by myself and ride, and so I did a lot of half marathons in the New York Marathon, Port Macquarie, Ironman Triathlon. And I knew I just felt that over time it was getting more difficult. It got to the point where my ophthalmologist said to stop riding my bike, and that's when I sort of started exploring other ways I could have run. I didn't know the Paratriathlon existed when I contacted Triathlon Australia, so it was amazing when I read them and I said, We're actually looking for vision impaired athletes for Rio Paralympics, which is something you used to wear, and that was quite incredible. And the irony of losing my sight was that I had this amazing opportunity to go to Rio and now Typekit.

Well, in some ways you can say I've always had a vision and lost because. It's a degenerative condition after German and a January 20, and I used to be able to run by myself and ride, and so I did a lot of half marathons in the New York Marathon, Port Macquarie, Ironman Triathlon. And I knew I just felt that over time it was getting more difficult. It got to the point where my ophthalmologist said to stop riding my bike, and that's when I sort of started exploring other ways I could have run. I didn't know the Paratriathlon existed when I contacted Triathlon Australia, so it was amazing when I read them and I said, We're actually looking for vision impaired athletes for Rio Paralympics, which is something you used to wear, and that was quite incredible. And the irony of losing my sight was that I had this amazing opportunity to go to Rio and now Typekit.

Mm-Hmm. Well, unfortunately, you can't be in the water, on the bike or running all the time and you fill your life with a lot of other very productive activity. Tell us about your work for the foundation to develop disability sport participation.

Mm-Hmm. Well, unfortunately, you can't be in the water, on the bike or running all the time and you fill your life with a lot of other very productive activity. Tell us about your work for the foundation to develop disability sport participation.

Thanks, David, it's really lovely to talk about Sport Access Foundation. I guess after Rio, you know, I had a real profound sense of what what an opportunity and privilege I had to represent my country to wear the green and gold and and gas growing up with hearing loss in a country town. There were there weren't many other kids with a disability, and you always felt a little bit challenged sometimes, and I did struggle in sports when I couldn't hear the coach or in swimming and I didn't have my hearing aids on.

Thanks, David, it's really lovely to talk about Sport Access Foundation. I guess after Rio, you know, I had a real profound sense of what what an opportunity and privilege I had to represent my country to wear the green and gold and and gas growing up with hearing loss in a country town. There were there weren't many other kids with a disability, and you always felt a little bit challenged sometimes, and I did struggle in sports when I couldn't hear the coach or in swimming and I didn't have my hearing aids on.

That's a characteristic of Usher syndrome, isn't it? The vision and hearing loss?

That's a characteristic of Usher syndrome, isn't it? The vision and hearing loss?

That's right. It's usually the hearing loss that's more noticeable to start with. And then but now there's more awareness about Usher syndrome. So I guess they're looking at children who have hearing loss if they have any other underlying conditions, such as an eyesight loss, and I would just sort do that diagnosis earlier.

That's right. It's usually the hearing loss that's more noticeable to start with. And then but now there's more awareness about Usher syndrome. So I guess they're looking at children who have hearing loss if they have any other underlying conditions, such as an eyesight loss, and I would just sort do that diagnosis earlier.

Yeah. Sorry. I'll take it off track there. Tell us more about the Foundation

Yeah. Sorry. I'll take it off track there. Tell us more about the Foundation

Sport Access Foundation. So we launched off the in early 2017, and we provide grants for young Aussies with a disability between seven and 17 years of age, and they can use that money to buy equipment to help with costs of competing in competition. Training costs coaches because we know that having a disability or an impairment, there are additional barriers where you have to invest more to to, you know, to access a sport. We don't have the same kind of opportunities to choose whatever sport we want to do. We're sort of somewhat limited in that. So it's really great to be able to get money in the pockets of mums and dads to help their kids access sport because they do have additional costs or kids that are able-bodied. And in the four years we've established, we've given out over forty thousand dollars to thirty five odd kids. We've had over 300 applicants. And I was really excited that three of our APNIC recipients are here at Tokyo coaches swimming Jamison Leyshon in Berkshire and Chris Stevens in swimming, and they're all recipients of Sport Access making their debut here at Tokyo Paralympics.

Sport Access Foundation. So we launched off the in early 2017, and we provide grants for young Aussies with a disability between seven and 17 years of age, and they can use that money to buy equipment to help with costs of competing in competition. Training costs coaches because we know that having a disability or an impairment, there are additional barriers where you have to invest more to to, you know, to access a sport. We don't have the same kind of opportunities to choose whatever sport we want to do. We're sort of somewhat limited in that. So it's really great to be able to get money in the pockets of mums and dads to help their kids access sport because they do have additional costs or kids that are able-bodied. And in the four years we've established, we've given out over forty thousand dollars to thirty five odd kids. We've had over 300 applicants. And I was really excited that three of our APNIC recipients are here at Tokyo coaches swimming Jamison Leyshon in Berkshire and Chris Stevens in swimming, and they're all recipients of Sport Access making their debut here at Tokyo Paralympics.

Yeah, that's terrific. Now tell me about being in Tokyo. It must be a very different life around the village in 2021 Cova days compared to Rio. Compare and contrast for us.

Yeah, that's terrific. Now tell me about being in Tokyo. It must be a very different life around the village in 2021 Cova days compared to Rio. Compare and contrast for us.

Sure. Rio, we went to the food hall in Tokyo, we haven't, you know, where we had. An opening ceremony involving all athletes in Tokyo, we didn't realize we had a village welcome where you got to mingle with our athletes across the village in Tokyo. We haven't. But flip it around in Tokyo. There's so many great things in that all us Aussie athletes are spending more time together. We're all waiting together here. We've had more social events. I'd like to look at it. Every game is very different. The Japanese have done an amazing job. It's been an incredible game and there's a real sense of appreciation and gratitude. Athletes from all over the world and athletes have been able to attend events. So I went and watched day two of the Paratriathlon. I got to say some of my competitors. We had some selfie exchange pins. So in many ways, it's still been just as wonderful. And it's really about making the most of whatever the situation is. And certainly we've all done that and we're so grateful to be over here and doing this in these really tough times.

Sure. Rio, we went to the food hall in Tokyo, we haven't, you know, where we had. An opening ceremony involving all athletes in Tokyo, we didn't realize we had a village welcome where you got to mingle with our athletes across the village in Tokyo. We haven't. But flip it around in Tokyo. There's so many great things in that all us Aussie athletes are spending more time together. We're all waiting together here. We've had more social events. I'd like to look at it. Every game is very different. The Japanese have done an amazing job. It's been an incredible game and there's a real sense of appreciation and gratitude. Athletes from all over the world and athletes have been able to attend events. So I went and watched day two of the Paratriathlon. I got to say some of my competitors. We had some selfie exchange pins. So in many ways, it's still been just as wonderful. And it's really about making the most of whatever the situation is. And certainly we've all done that and we're so grateful to be over here and doing this in these really tough times.

And what about Paris for Katie Kelly in three years time?

And what about Paris for Katie Kelly in three years time?

Paris to Kate Hill, it's probably a bit too early to say at this stage, I'm really just enjoying the moment here. This has been five year build up, so I said the same in Rio that some of the journalists were asking me about Tokyo pretty much should I finished the race and I said, Oh, I don't want to think that Tokyo now is not Rio, so I'll have to stay in the present. And the presence is where in Tokyo it's been amazing and I'll reflect on that in the coming times as to the next stage and what I might be doing.

Paris to Kate Hill, it's probably a bit too early to say at this stage, I'm really just enjoying the moment here. This has been five year build up, so I said the same in Rio that some of the journalists were asking me about Tokyo pretty much should I finished the race and I said, Oh, I don't want to think that Tokyo now is not Rio, so I'll have to stay in the present. And the presence is where in Tokyo it's been amazing and I'll reflect on that in the coming times as to the next stage and what I might be doing.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking Vision O One Word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

And that's all we have time for today. You've been listening to talking vision, talking vision is a production of Vision Australia radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the program together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments. You can contact us at Talking Vision at Vision Australia dot org that's talking Vision O One Word at Vision Australia dot org. But until next week, it's bye for now.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.

You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during business hours on 103000 eight four seven four six. That's one three eight four seven four double six or by visiting Vision Australia dot org. That's Vision Australia dot all.