Rising Phoenix, documentary film.

Bebe Vio (born 4 March 1997) is an Italian wheelchair fencer, 2014 and 2016 European champion, 2015 and 2017 World champion, and 2016 Paralympic champion in the foil B category.

 

We had been tipped off by somebody who know somebody involved in the making, to watch this documentary film no later than the day it was released which was yesterday. We had a reminder text just before it started on Netflix but we had already searched for it and settled down at 7.30 pm to view.

The documentary follows a group of disabled athletes who would have been competing in the Paralympics in Tokyo, due to open at this time had they not been postponed like so many sporting events this year.

The film is so much more than an amazing art work, having been brilliantly directed and showing a small selection of stars who present themselves so simply, when in fact they are all totally astonishing people who have shown true dedication to the sport that completes them.

I goggled and read a few promo pieces about the work and one said “This will challenge the way you think about disability”. I hope it will, something needs to make that challenge.

It is a much watch and not just for sportspeople.

 

Matt Stutzman (born December 10, 1982) is an American. He competed at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics and won a silver medal in 2012. He holds a world record for longest accurate shot in archery.

 

Trinity Tri Club group email

 Hello Friends,

Ok I admit it, I have started to lose to plot entirely during this nightmare time.When it will be safe to get back in the pool, I have no idea but Steve doesn’t think it is just yet. You must be your own judge on that and I guess that means the younger the sooner.

Please forgive me if you hear a note of depression seeping through here.

Up until now Steve and I have been doing some good sound run training in the early mornings and spending plenty of time training on our turbos but not getting out on the road that much. Swims have been but a few on the best days with the calmest sea.

AI had a text from Chris Packham to let me know that one of our oldest members, Ben Barden had died. Ben joined us right back from the 6pm Thursdays at the Aquarena days. Chris had heard this from Ben’s grandson. Ben grew into triathlon from a few local event up to ironman distance. I have been thinking since I heard this sad news of a time when I had nagged him into entering a Sussex 12 hour bike time trial and since he needed to do some long bike rides he did go along. There were a couple of places where there were dog legs, and he turned round when he saw me, caught me and asked me to tell a marshal that he had done enough (110 miles) and that he was off home since this was the nearest point. He said he wouldn’t have entered but for my nagging and reminded me that I was totally barking mad which was sweet of him, he had a wry sense of humour.  I just checked and Steve did about 196 miles and I did 176 so I think barking mad is fair enough Ben. I have tried to contact Ben’s wife Linda, but cannot get through on the number I have, if anybody else has a contact number please let me know.

 This last week neither Steve or I have been training. Steve has been very busy trying to finish the work he has left before we close our warehouse on September 15^th do directly to the effects on our clients who are mainly American, due to the Corona Virus.

My sister Burnhild, who has always been a good friend too, had a six hour heart bypass operation last Sunday, she and her husband and my nephew live close to Manchester and I have been most concerned but she is starting to recover slowly of course. Fingers crossed for her return to health, she is more than a good handful of years younger than me. No house visitors in that area for the time being. So, updates are by phone and text with my nephew Jason.

Steve has decided that this is a good time to take our annual leave from training, for a week or two; though usually that is at the end of September when we have done a dozen or more events.

Let’s hope we can get back to normal sometime though I don’t see it for a while.

I miss you all badly as I also miss my poetry group that did help to keep my head in at a respectable angle.

 

Love to you all

 

Daphne XX and Steve of course XX

 

 

 

Losing the plot

 

There must have been a momentary lapse,

all concentration lost just for a while,

as active brains landslide down into exile

wearied by silence, unstimulated.

The mass of plans too slowly foregathered,

each detail intricately versatile,

falls with jigsaw puzzle tightness of style

bayoneted, stabbed down from unseen scabbard.

Offence occurred whilst our minds were off guard,

unfamiliar times, so unprepared

by months of quiet stillness now compared

all thought ablaze, burned to ashes and charred.

Deadly pandemic the world has shaken,

we sleeping beauties must now awaken.

 

Daphne Belt  25.08.20