Carol Cooke

"Nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves"

Carol, an effervescent forty-eight year old woman who readily admits to being a sports fanatic and workaholic, also lives with the challenge of multiple sclerosis.

This engaging lady was born and bred in Toronto, Canada where she fulfilled a life- long dream of following in the footsteps of her family and served as a member of the Toronto Police Force in Canada for fourteen years. She had it all - an exciting and fulfilling career and for a period worked in the undercover drug squad.

But life was about to change dramatically - for better and worse. Carol fell in love with an Australian, married and moved half way around the world and settled in Melbourne. After competing in Hobart at the Masters Swimming Nationals in 1998 she awoke one morning with disturbing balance problems and double vision, another all too common symptom of MS was rearing it's ugly head.

After an array of tests she was bluntly told "You have MS go home and get your affairs in order before you become incapacitated". She was understandably devastated and the rest of the day was a blur. Having only been married for three years and no immediate family around, her thoughts revolved around how she was going to cope with this unpredictable disease.

Fortunately, Carol found the determination and spirit to defy what this doctor had told her. Although Carol had to leave full time employment she found another passion to keep her busy. Carol started the 24 Hour Mega Swim in 2001 and now ten years later has swims running in 3 states, the ACT and with numerous swims in Victoria. Carol’s dream is to see the 24 Hour Mega Swim become a national event.

The Mega Swim raises money for the Go For Gold Scholarship program run by MS Limited and gives scholarships to people living with MS to follow a dream. The swims have raised over $3,000,000.00 which has also allowed MSL ACT/NSW/VIC to initiate a Financial Assistance Scheme project for people with MS.

Carol was a national level swimmer in Canada while she was growing up and with an unstoppable nature and a passion for sport Carol took up competitive rowing in December of 2006 made the Australian Rowing Team in 2008 and 2009 where she competed at the World Rowing Championships coming away with a 6th place. She has held a scholarship at the Victorian Institute of Sport since 2007 and has now taken up the sport of Para-cycling in the Trike class.

Carol has now been named on the Australian Para-cycling Team to compete at the Para-cycling World Road Championships in 2011 which will be held in Denmark and she is now aiming to ear a spot on the Australian Team with a view to representing Australia at the 2012 London Paralympics.

Although living with the never-ending symptoms of this unpredictable disease, Carol has the strength and courage to get up each day with a positive and motivated attitude. She has learnt to live for today and not worry about what may or may not happen in the future.

Carol believes that "nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves and believes that the greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."

A fatalist by nature, Carol believes everything happens for a reason. If she had not been diagnosed with MS, there would be no 24 Hour Mega Swim and the programs that the money has gone to would not be running. Suddenly everything seems to make sense. Perhaps a grand plan is at work.

MS Australia ACT/NSW/VIC highly recommends Carol as an articulate MS Ambassador and commends
her efforts to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis and is pleased to offer her insight as a motivational speaker.

Awards:

2001 Rotary International
Shine on Award - Certificate of Commendation

2003 The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Named a Paul Harris Fellow

2006 Herald Sun Pride of Australia Awards
Role Model Category

2008 Included in the Inaugural Who's Who in Victoria and the Who's Who of Australian Women

2009 John Studdy Award, from MS Australia

2010 Included in the Who's Who of Australian Women "hope & courage"

2011 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards – Commendation

2011 Included in the Who’s Who of Australian Women