‘Gaisce award gave me boost to take on world’

Irish Paralympian Nadine Lattimore, one of 72 young people presented with a Gaisce gold medal award yesterday, believes it gave her the confidence to take on the world.

Gaisce — the President’s Award — is Ireland’s national challenge award and recognises achievements by young people who have improved their personal skills, worked in the community, and taken part in a travel adventure.

Nadine, 29, who holds the Irish female shot put record, revealed she was recovering from broken toes when competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. “I dropped a 4kg cast iron shot put on my foot during a training session in the run up to the Paralympic Games and ended up breaking my big toe and the toe next to it.”

Nadine, who is visually impaired, competed in the games despite her injury.

“I did my best I could on the day, which is all you can ask of an athlete,” she said.

Nadine, from Baldoyle, Dublin, said one of her challenges was training with her guide dog, Quartz, at the Irish Guide Dog Training Centre in Cork. They have been together for four years. She lost her sight in an accident more than seven years ago.

“I have what is known as light perception, so I know the difference between night and day,” she said.

She said the Gaisce Awards, which were about achievement, not failure, were the making of her.

“It lets people know who I am — that I am adventurous and willing to give time to my community. The awards are all about challenging yourself and going beyond what you could do. My adventure was a motorbike trip across Wales — I never thought I would end up at the back of a motorbike. I also ended up trekking in Cambodia.”

Another gold medal winner was Michael Mitchell, 20, from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford, who is very active in his community, is proficient in first aid and teaches water safety.

“Gaisce sets you a challenge that you want to complete once you start. It has taken me two years to get the gold award but it has been worth it,” he said.

Gold winner Louise Hurley, 20, from Bandon, Co Cork, challenged herself to learn embroidery and achieve a black belt in taekwondo.