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Stephanie Reid

Stef, born in New Zealand’s fine country, 
Moved to Canada aged 4 with her parents, 
Where she had a boating accident aged 9,
Which amputated her right foot for her life. 

She’s married to fellow Paralympian fast, 
Canadian wheelchair racer Brent Lakatos, 
And they both train at Loughborough Uni, 
Where there’s a plethora of sports facilities. 

Stef graduated from good Queens University, 
In Biochemistry with honours and at times, 
Is a professional speaker, a fashion model, 
And lay preacher of the gospel and the way. 

Before the accident Stephanie played rugby, 
But afterwards she could not do this because, 
Her prosthetic was at risk of detaching itself, 
Mid-game and injuring near placed players. 

So she went into track and field athletics, 
Practised until she became sick and tired, 
Which saw her make the 2008 Paralympics, 
In Beijing when she won gold for the sprint. 

She graced the podium often at small meets, 
In Manchester and in London. Christchurch
Saw her flourish when she won two bronzes:
One for the long jump and one for the 200m.

In Swansea at the European games in 2014,
Stef took home for the T44 long jump a gold, 
And in the London Paras which introduced,  
So many to disability sport, she won a silver. 

In Rio she won another silver, on the mark
For TeamGB. She hasn’t always represented, 
Britain because when she was much younger, 
She competed for Canada’s rocky territory.

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