From elite shooter to family life: a story of passion, family and joy.
Charlotte Streton
The seconds tick away. When I close my eyes, I see the target in front of me, the perfect shot is right in front of me.... But it's not me who has my finger on the trigger, it's a new young shooter I have the honor of working with. It's been 20 years since I hung up my rifle after about 12 years of wild experiences as an elite shooter under Parasport Denmark. My goal is to help these young people shoot their way to a ticket to the Paralympics and thereby an experience of a lifetime. I know from experience that there are many hours of hard work ahead of them, but also that it's all worth it. The feeling I had in my body when I stood at the top of the podium cannot be described, but must be experienced.
Private photo: My Italian shooting buddy and competitor, Santo Mangano, and me after the final at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona.
My love of sport started when I was 9 years old and has followed me all my life. A joy that I have happily passed on to my daughter Kristine, who has played electric hockey for many years and is now starting to try out with the "big boys" in Powerchair floorball.
Kristine was born 3 months premature (shortly after I shot my last European Championship) and unfortunately inherited my "non hereditary" muscular dystrophy. Despite the rough start to life as a mom, I have managed to create a life for my little family where fun and seriousness have gone hand in hand. I have an amazing boyfriend who supports my crazy antics, but who has also stood by my side when my role as a mother has been critical. Being a parent can be a bit of a mouthful at times, but being a parent with a disability to a child who also has a significant disability is something else entirely. Fortunately, my life as a mother has offered many positive experiences that have pushed the hours of worry and tears into the background. Today, Kristine has a bachelor's degree in Danish and psychology and dreams for the future like any other young person.
"I have pursued a long-standing dream of making ceramics and spend many hours a week with clay in my hands. Time will tell what the coming years will bring, but I can say with great certainty that I will continue my work as a volunteer in the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation. I've been on their board of representatives for a number of years now and have volunteered at both Cirkus Summarum and the Green Concert.
Private photo: Shooting has really given me experiences for life.
Life with a chronic illness is rarely without its challenges, but I'm lucky enough to have grown up in a family that has always seen possibilities rather than limitations. I've been on camp trips with my school on the Gudenåen river in a canoe with my wheelchair, sailed in Danish waters and have driven thousands of kilometers around Europe, both with and without my rifle. For the past many years, I have been a mom with a capital M. And I'm happy that I can pass on some of my experience to my daughter and other wonderful young people.
Private photo: It gives me joy to be a part of the young shooters' "journey".
Written by: Charlotte Streton
City/Country: Lille Skensved, Denmark
Hobby: Ceramics and reading