________________________Ananova
15
Year Old Quadruple Amputee Swims Across Lake Erie
LAKE ERIE-- A 15-year-old quadruple amputee has
completed a 12-mile swim across Lake Erie, making her the youngest woman
and first disabled person to accomplish the feat.
Ashley Cowan, of Toronto, who has had both arms and legs amputated
below the knees and elbows, took just over 15 hours to complete the
journey, fighting a strong current and a fear of swimming in darkness.
Ashley had her limbs amputated after suffering meningitis when she
was two years old. She uses prosthetics on land but not in the water,
powering herself without hands or feet.
After emerging from the 70F water on the shores of Crystal Beach, Ontario,
she headed straight for waiting paramedics. Hundreds of spectators cheered
as she went by.
"She toughed it out and we're very proud of her," said friend
John Munro, who watched the swim from a rescue boat on the lake. "Everyone's
so thrilled about it."
The determined teen began her journey just before 9am at Sturgeon Point,
New York, about 12 miles south of Buffalo.
Before setting out, Ashley told CFTO-TV: "You set your mind on
something and just keep thinking how much you want it, and you will
achieve it."
Aside from a rescue boat, Cowan was also accompanied by boats from
New York state and members of the fire department from Hamburg, New
York, near her departure point.
At the Canada Games in Ontario this August, Ashley won two silver medals
for the 50-metre backstroke and 100 metre breaststroke.
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