For almost twenty-seven hours, without a moment of sleep,
she pushed ever forward, clawing at the water, defying six-foot waves that
rushed relentlessly at her, smashing into her face, as though attempting to
stifle her breath. Fighting cramping in her leg muscles, while willing her
fatigued arms and shoulders to move, she ignored the deepening cold during the
long hours from sunset to dawn.
Tempted, but never giving up, she pressed on until she
achieved her goal. At less than five feet tall that wisp of a woman was only
fourteen years, one hundred and fifty-eight days.
This human dynamo is Great Lakes marathon swimmer Annaleise
Carr—the youngest ever, at the time of her Lake Ontario open-water swim
(August, 2012), to complete the 57 kilometres, from the mouth of the Niagara
River to the breakwater at Marilyn Bell Park, in Toronto. Shifted off course
and hampered by adverse weather, she actually swam 77 kilometres.
Courtesy: Annaleise Carr's FB Page |
In July, 2014 Annaleise cut short her intended 75 kilometre
Lake Erie swim from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Port Dover, Ontario, at the 42
kilometre mark, by coming ashore at Long Point. That was a wise decision, for
rough conditions and stormy weather prevailed. However, she completed the
remaining 33 kilometre distance on September 1st.
Why does she do it?
Compassion flooded her heart when she visited Camp Trillium
in Norfolk County, Ontario, near Lake Erie, and there met children suffering
from cancer. She witnessed the wonderful care, companionship and enjoyment that
Trillium provides for them, and offered to volunteer. “Give me a call in five
years,” said the director. Trillium’s volunteers must be at least eighteen;
Annaleise was only thirteen.
A determined and creative individual, who loves God and
people, she would not be deterred. And so, she conceived the idea of the swim.
In the two years since that Lake Ontario swim she has
received a score of awards and numerous citations and commendations, from many
organizations and various levels of Government. Public venues bear her name on
commemorative plaques, and the town of Simcoe community swimming pool was
renamed after her—Annaleise Carr Aquatic Centre. She was included in CHCH TV’s
Top 20, 2012, and was also number 10 in CTV Kitchener’s top stories, the same
year.
Listing all her recognitions to date is extensive. To
mention here only a short list, selected from among the many:
~ World
Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Woman of the year in 2012
~ Ontario Lieutenant Governor’s
Community Volunteer Pin, presented by Lieutenant Governor David Onley
~ 2012 Ontario Junior Citizen of the
Year
~2012
Canadian Sport Awards Spirit of Sport Story of the Year
~ Queen
Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, presented by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
~ Recipient, Peace Tower Canadian Flag, presented by Minister
Diane Findley MP, on behalf of Prime Minster Harper.
The list continues to grow as accolades of her more recent
accomplishments roll in.
Now a sixteen-year-old highschool student, Annaleise remains
unassuming, despite the momentous attention surrounding her. The eldest of four
siblings, she laughs and smiles her way through her day with her siblings and
school chums. She hopes her passionate motivational talks in schools will
inspire young people to aim higher and engage in helping others.
Fellowship room, Eden Baptist Church, ON Peter, with Annaleise and her dad, Jeff Carr, . |
Despite her slightly restrained demeanour when addressing a
mainly adult audience, she doesn’t curtail her passion and evident desire to
allow God to use her skills and life to bless others – especially the children
who receive help and hope through Camp Trillium.
Her efforts and inspiration has helped mobilize, in a ripple
effect, many individuals, organizations and businesses. Their efforts, combined
with hers have, to date, raised more than $260,000 in donations for the cause.
My wife and I are honoured to have met this remarkable young
lady and her family. She acknowledges she couldn’t have accomplished her goals
without them and a great host of others who volunteer.
Annaleise Carr is living proof: Great things can and often
do come in small packages! And also that God will make a way for those who live for Him and desire to bless others. :)
~~+~~
Source
Credits: 1. Live interview October 2014 – Rev. A. Brndjar and Ms. Carr at Eden
Baptist Church, Ontario. 2. Toronto, 2014: Recordbooks / Lorimer; “Annaleise
Carr: How I conquered Lake Ontario to help kids battling cancer” by Annaleise
Carr as told to Deborah Ellis. 3. Simcoe Reformer / Norfolk County
Tourism, Ontario. Booklet, 2014: “Conquering Lake Ontario”; #annaswims.
~~+~~
Peter’s new book, “Raise Your Gaze . . . Musings of a Grateful Heart,” was released in August.Peter A. Black is a freelance writer and columnist in Southwestern Ontario, and is author of “Parables from the Pond” – a children's / family book (mildly educational, inspirational in orientation, character reinforcing). Finalist – Word Alive Press. ISBN: 1897373-21-X. The book has found a place in various settings with a readership ranging from kids to senior adults.
4 comments:
What a great article Peter. It is wonderful to see what God is doing in the lives of others.
Blessings,
Janis
such an inspiration!
Thanks Tracy. I hope and pray Annaleise will continue on this positive path and remain unaffected negatively by the high degree of media and public attention. The signs are good; hers is a close, Christ-following family.~~+~~
Kudos for her vision and giftings that allow it to happen.
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