Long Funchal Poems

It was in the eighties, a winter day in Funchal, 
the capital of Madeira, when a woman gave birth.
She was an anonymous, struggling woman
sailing the seas of poverty, with three other
children to feed.
At first, she...

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Susie was inspired by the Beijing Paralympics, 
To pursue her talent at swimming, to train hard, 
So she was classified as an S7, deformed limbs,
And won three medals in London, one in Rio. 

She has...

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“Perfect practice makes perfect”,  
Is Charlotte’s motto in life, principa:
She swims and plays piano, oboe, 
Loves musicals: Les Mis, Wicked.

Born without fully developed legs, 
Both were amputated above knee, 
When she was eighteen months,...

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Andrew came in behind Daniel Dias, 
Brazil’s most popular swimming star, 
Three times at Rio: 2 bronze, 1 silver, 
In the 50m butterfly, IM and the back.

He’s from Glasgow, born short limbed, 
On the 29th...

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A Games Maker at London’s Paralympics 2012, 
Stephanie used to be a competitor able-bodied, 
In the Great Britain team, mind on the Olympics, 
Even tho’ since 11 her eyes were bad, crummier.

One day when she...

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The beach at Orca Praia – Funchal Madeira

The powerful deep blue ocean
Expends its tidal force
Pounding down upon sea pebbles
With thud and smash so coarse

Watching from a vantage point
From the horizon to the shore
The lines of...

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Bethany swum for Ireland in London’s Paras, 
Her teacher dad used to be a church minister, 
She enjoys the Christian Fellowship Church, 
And raises her hands to praise god after races. 

She has an intellectual...

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Harriet has Beckwith-wiedemann syndrome, 
Something which shortened her right side, 
And she also his difficulty with blood sugar, 
But she’s a dog lover of Baya Bear and Bow. 

Born in Huntington which is a market...

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Jon always does a Rubix Cube, 
Before swims for his nerve, 
He’s a self-confessed motorhead, 
Loves driving Lamorghini’s. 

Born on the 30th of May in 1991,
With mild Cerebral Palsy, 
He has a BTEC in sports,...

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This years holiday took us to Madeira
an island of exquisite beauty so rare
having a history rolling back decades
raising its inhabitants looking so fair

Columbus himself stepped on this land
before heading west, America to find
UK's war leader...

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Scott was born premature, five weeks, 
With his brain fused to his skull, 
It was Crouzon syndrome, dysostosis, 
And doctors operated to null. 

He was a strong wee tike and survived, 
Edinburgh born, 1st July...

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Rebecca was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, 
Aged seven and was born in 19th December 1999,
In Droitwich Spa which is in Worcestershire county: 
She trains, works out at Worcester Swimming Club. 

Spotted by a British Swimming...

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May England be
     a enormous ship called:
     "Queen of the Seas"
      And that doesn't sink ...!

     
 ...

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One of the loveliest islands I've been
Malta fits that bill without doubt
Valletta and Mellieha are real highlights
summer sunshine is an attraction to count

Venice is one beauty without doubt
surrounded fully by water all around
St Marks square...

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Stephen is Libby Clegg’s younger brother, 
Their other brother is James - all 3 at Rio, 
Because they all have Stargardt’s Disease, 
A deteriorating eye condition that's genetic. 

Their mother is Moira who lives in...

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Matt’s dad Mike works in IT for Nissan, 
So when he won gold at Rio de Janerio, 
For the 100m freestyle in the S9 category, 
Nissan made him a gold car, a LEAF. 

The LEAF...

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Cristiano Ronaldo.
Born in Funchal, Madeira's archipelago.
Played for Real Madrid and Man United.
Now his flair gets Al Nassr fans excited.

Messi is Ronaldo's biggest rival,
always vying to give fans an eyeful.
With a flick and a trick,
both make...

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