ART & FRIENDS
I first met Shamus Liptrot when my daughter was in primary school and he was one of those kids who you instantly liked, he had a big cheeky grin, bubbly personality, always really polite and friendly and full of fun, well regarded by teachers, parents and the other children. In fact I have never heard a bad word said about him, ever.
If there was something going on and some fun to be had Shamus would be there, if a photo was taken he would rush in at the last moment and with a cheeky grin steal the show!
Shamus was an all rounder, great academically, during school games and races, playing basketball – yes good at all sports whether in a team or trying to better his personal best in Little Athletics.
When it came to swimming in primary school Shamus was of course in the top group – deep end, so it was my privilege to have both him and my daughter Hillivi in my group as I taught swimming during the summer months. Shamus would be first across the pool and looking up at me waiting for the next instruction and goes without saying that he came away with lots of ribbons and medals from his swimming efforts as well.
biking along
ART ON A BIKE
It therefore was no surprise to any of us when we started to see Shamus and his dad riding on racing bikes around Balaklava and Halbury and of course he took to that like a duck to water. It was only a matter of time before he got noticed as a new young talent by the powers that be and was offered a Scholarship by the South Australian Sports Institute, where he rode for Team O’grady.
However it was in December 2007 during the Devonport Carnival in Tasmania when the unthinkable happened and Shamus was catapulted into the air, over a fence and into a light pole. I think the whole of the Mid North held their breath collectively until we found out that he was off the critical list.
Then came months and months of rehabilitation whereby Shamus’ only form of communication was by blinking then progressing to writing on a board and finally learning to talk and walk and best of all getting back on that bike – as yet only a stationary one.
DETERMINATION AS AN ART
What was so remarkable about Shamus was he never lost that determination, spirit and optimism during this whole ordeal. Instead he would rise at 5.30 and ride the exercise bike for an hour, followed by exercises on a mat, attend school and do homework and then back on the bike before bed.
It was only in the last 2 months that he was able transfer himself unaided from the walking frame to that bike, a major achievement. Although as you know by now Shamus was used to achievements and since his accident he not only achieved 2 merit awards in 2 subjects in year 12, but also received the local BAC award for Youth Achievement on Australia day and the Ronald McDonald House Charities awarded him the Charlie Bell Scholarship of $5,000 as well as an all expenses paid trip to New Zealand.
Of course a lot of the credit for raising this incredible human being needs to be directed towards his fabulous parents Patricia and Malcolm Liptrot, for I have never seen two more loving or dedicated parents ever. Shamus was their only child and they dropped everything in their own lives to spend the last 3 and a half years constantly by his side attending to his every need. Not that they would agree nor accept this accolade as they are ever so humble and unassuming people.
The frightfully tragic news reached me the day after Mother’s Day 2011 when Hillivi called and it took a couple of minutes before I could understand her distraught message that Shamus had died. It was the last thing I was expecting to hear especially as he had been making such great progress. I cannot even begin to imagine how his parents are feeling at this time and my heart hurts for them.
THE ART OF CYCLING
It is comforting to hear Cycling SA executive director Max Stevens suggestion to strike a new medal in honor of Shamus Liptrot, who in his words were inspirational, dedicated and committed. If the world press is anything to go by, he certainly made his mark across the globe as his tragic death is reported even as far away as Sweden.
I know people mean well when they say that God needed another angel up there in heaven, but I cannot get the words of Nicole Kidman’s character in Rabbit Hole out of my mind, who said;
“If God needed another angel – why didn’t he just make one, he is God after all”
Till next time
Love Marie xxx (c)
If you would like to read a uplifting art blog about success against all odds with a happy ending here is a link 67. One Amazing Woman & Art
Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALEand SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES. Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.
There are no comments published yet.