A promising young Tasmanian born athlete whose childhood dream was to go to the Olympics, Al Viney’s life changed forever when, at 18, a horrific car accident left her with serious and permanent injuries.
As she wrestled with the mental and physical damage that came as a result of the accident, she had to relearn her life with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an acquired disability to her left arm. However, she found the toughest obstacle was battling the societal expectations and stigma. The promising young rower was faced with doors closing on the opportunities that had once been accessible to her, and her dreams of pursuing a sporting career was snatched away.
With her arm irreversibly damaged, she was told, over and over, she would never play competitive sport again – a fate Al struggled to accept whist trying to cling on to her inner child, and the deep self-belief that had once been such a strong characteristic of who she was.
A beautiful gift arrived in Al’s life by the name of Charlie. The perfect pup, who looked like a tiny white polar bear, Charlie became Al’s best friend, her lifeline and Therapy Dog.
Over the next few years, there were days where taking care of Charlie was the only reason that Al would make it through the darkest times of her life. So many aspects of Charlie were comforting and helped Al manage her PTSD. From the joy that Charlie experienced from going for a walk, to how much he loved having a brush and the way he just knew to cuddle up close during the tough times for Al. They may sound like simple things to most, but they were lifesaving moments to Al who relied upon these moments to survive.
Together, they became a team with no judgement, no stigma, just love and support for one another. It was always Al and Char.
While Al was working as a sport scientist at a local football club, eight years after the accident, a simple yet profound question from a spectator set off a chain reaction. “You look so athletic. Why aren’t you involved in para sport?” Rowing was always Al’s passion and she decided to take the courageous first step to ‘get back in the boat’.
After eight years of being disconnected from her dreams, it took Al just three months of hard work to be selected on the Australian National Rowing Team. Facing an arduous 18-month whirlwind training regime through Covid lockdowns, she was soon on her way to Tokyo to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games.
Charlie was there every step of the way as Al navigated her intersectionality. He would also help Al pack for her travels by either getting into the suitcase himself or by popping his favourite toy, ‘Pippa’ on the pile to be packed. Charlie was always at the forefront of Al’s heart and mind. It was obvious to everyone who met Al and Charlie, that their bond was truly incredibly and so important to Al’s life and wellbeing.
Representing her country on many occasions, a highlight of Al’s sporting career so far came last year in September, when Al returned home from the World Championships in Prague with a silver medal which she won in the PR3 women’s pair, alongside her best friend and teammate, Alex Vuillermin. A medal she couldn’t wait to share with Charlie.
In early 2023, Al made the decision to step away from the National Team’s racing commitments for a short time to train in Melbourne and invest in her wellbeing, only to face a devastating loss in late February, when heartbreakingly, Charlie passed away suddenly just two months before his tenth birthday.
As she continues to prepare for another assault on the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris – with gold on her mind – Al knew that she had to do something meaningful to honour the connection that she has with Charlie and maintain her wellbeing without her best friend by her side.
Reaching out to Guide Dogs Victoria, Al signed on as a volunteer within the organisation, and has also joined the team to raise much needed funds that will help to support the training and raising of a Guide Dog puppy so that someone else can experience the joy and life changing bond that comes from these animals.
Al is aiming to raise $10,000 for Guide Dogs Victoria while running 10km at the Run Melbourne event on 16 July in honour of her 10 years with Charlie.
For a time after Charlie passed Al couldn’t bring herself to walk the streets and parks around her house without Charlie padding along next to her. Running began as a way for Al to get back outside. It felt heavy and incredibly sad as the streets held so many memories of Charlie, but it was on these runs Al has found the space to feel, to smile and to remember how much Charlie loved exploring and being outside.
Al also dedicates her time as an athlete ambassador for Proud 2 Play, which focuses on inclusion and diversity in sport. An accomplished and fearless keynote speaker, Al is passionate about bridging the gender divide in sport and advocating for opportunities for people of all abilities. Al is also supporting a research project at Deakin University investigating inclusion and diversity in high-level sporting organisations across Australia.
Please help Al reach her fundraising goal in the Run Melbourne event.
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