Skater on path to paralympic career
MEET seven-yearold Izzy, the little girl who can’t see but who can ice skate after picking up the hobby in Widnes.
Isabelle Harlow Brooke, who lives in Huyton, has no sight or light vision, having been born with a genetic visual impairment.
But she isn’t going to let that stop her from pursuing her new passion and it’s one that many adults find a bit nerve-wracking.
At the beginning of this year, Izzy, mum Ruth George and step-dad Adam George, decided to visit Planet Ice Widnes for a day of ice-skating.
Izzy’s mum Ruth, 23, said: “It was in January, as a family we decided to try a New Year’s resolution, to try something new and we decided to try ice skating.
“Izzy really enjoyed herself and said she wanted to be more confident on the ice and wanted to ice skate.
“That’s when we went to look at sessions.”
Izzy, who was diagnosed with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy disorderas at just six weeks old, began lessons with ice-skating coach Michelle Cosham and at first was nervous on the rink, holding on to the side and using a polar bear skate aid.
The family were also worried about Izzy’s stability, as she has hypermobility in her ankles.
But when she was introduced to fellow student Faye Hoare, aged six, she discovered her own potential.
On the ice, Faye introduced herself to Izzy and reassured her that she didn’t need the skating aid to move around the
● rink, even helping coach Michelle hold her hand.
And while Izzy still needs support and aid, she has quickly found new confidence in her hobby and now believes ‘she can do anything’.
That includes taking part in an ice-skating competition earlier this month.
Izzy performed in the Junior Inclusive Skater competition in front of three judges, where she had to skate across the ice, stop and turn around.
Marked out of six, she won her category and received a massive round of applause from loved ones, other skaters and spectators.
Ruth said: “When she got on the ice I cried, I was just so proud of her. She’s never heard of many people like her or children doing sports who are visually impaired doing ice skating but now she believes she can. This week she’s been buzzing. She’s still telling herself she can do anything.”
Izzy said: “I enjoy it. I like the fact I can do competitions – I won a gold medal on my first one.
“I had my fingers crossed and I won.”
At the moment, Izzy can skate and glide with assistance, but is still keen to try new tricks and participate in a gala later this year.
Her coach Michelle Cosham, 40, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to teach her.
“She’s got the drive, she wants to win the paralympics. This little girl proves that if you put your mind to it, you can do it.”