Gold ambition: Bayswater MP Heidi Victoria gives Paralympian Brydee Moore a flag to take to London. Picture: Rob Carew
A LEG infection was never going to stop Bayswater resident Brydee Moore going for gold at the London Paralympic Games.
Moore flew out of Melbourne a fortnight ago to Cardiff in Wales for a training camp before the Games start in London today.
The shot put and javelin athlete was struck down with a leg infection at the start of the year and spent seven months in hospital or at home in bed being visited by doctors and nurses.
But once July rolled around, Moore threw herself back into training so she could compete with the best of the best in London.
"I didn't think I would make it to London. It's a massive relief to get there."
The 22 year old has cerebral palsy, which affects all her limbs, but she has never let that get in the way of her dreams.
"I find my own way to do things," she said.
When it's Moore's turn to throw, she is seated in what she calls a "basket" and then stands up to throw the javelin.
She trained every day for three hours, at the gym to build up her strength and in her backyard to practice her throwing.
Moore is coached by her father who unfortunately couldn't make it to London because of work commitments.
"But my family has been such a wonderful support," she said.
Already a veteran of international competition, Moore was in Beijing for the 2008 Paralympics and in Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
At the national championships this year, Moore took home three gold medals. And she's hoping that's a good omen.
"I am just one centimetre off a world record throw in shot put."
In her spare time, Moore coaches children with cerebral palsy or spina bifida at Glenallen School on Saturday mornings.
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