By Helen McKenzie Fairlie
As a child, my heroes were extraordinary individuals who rose to great heights. Since becoming an adult my heroes are ordinary people who overcome adversity, serve their community, and inspire others to do likewise. That is why Debbie Smith is my local hero.
Debbie grew up with a natural talent in swimming and could have pursued a career as a swimmer if it were not for a serious accident suffered in her late teens. It left her hospitalised and having to learn to walk again. It takes courage, determination, and discipline to relearn what broken bones and multiple surgeries have taken away. It took months of patient practice, exercise, and persistent effort.
Undeterred, Debbie was not going to allow adversity to take away from her the passion for swimming. She could no longer compete but she could teach and so she became a swimming instructor. Debbie has taught at several swim schools and has been singled out for her ability to undertake a higher level of responsibility towards both pupils and other instructors. Eventually she became the Manager of Paddles and not only manages the swim school with kindness but can also be seen in the water, teaching both adults and children.
Debbie’s life has been given to something bigger than herself. It has given many children and adults here in the West the ability to swim and be safe in water.
