To her the gold medal was the ultimate, but for her more than the medal was how humble her daughter showed herself.
“That spoke to me more than anything else,” she said.
Roxon was talking about her daughter’s recent gold medal win in the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On Sunday, Katarina was honoured with a motorcade and reception jointly held by the towns of Stephenville and Kippens.
Her mom said when her daughter was young it was challenging in the sense of a parent’s initial worry of how Katarina would do in life after being born with part of her left arm missing.
“She made it easier for us (parents) because of her determination and stubbornness of wanting to do things herself. She didn’t want any help,” Roxon said.
Growing up she tried everything, from inline skating, cycling, running and taekwondo and was successful at all of them.
“She didn’t want anything stopping her,” Roxon said.
Lisa enrolled both her daughters, Miranda and Katarina, in swimming as both parents felt their daughters should know how to swim.
“She (Katarina) didn’t like swimming at first, especially going anywhere near the deep end,” Roxon said.
But once she got used to the water she took off from there because of her competitive nature.
The mother and daughter have their moments together as Katarina confides in her mom, especially when she needs to unburden herself of something and they have a relaxing “girl talk.”
While both her daughters were growing up, Roxon was a busy mom between running her Gulf Massage and Physiotherapy business and getting the girls to their various involvements.
Travis Gallant, a close friend of Katarina for the past seven years after meeting her at the Regional Aquatic Centre, said it’s tough to come up with words to describe her.
“I can say she’s always there for you, happy, joyful and smiling, never with anything bad to say about anyone,” he said.
Gallant said for the two of them, with her just a year his senior at 23 years old, their friendship is perfect as it is.
He knew she was going to get the gold in the breaststroke event, as it’s her stroke and something she’s worked hard at all these years.
“She deserves nothing but the best.”
Jackie Chaulk, training partner and a good friend of the Roxon family, said the best word to describe Katarina is kind.
“But she’s also humble, dedicated and has strong faith,” she said.
Chaulk said Katarina always makes things about the other person and never herself, an amazing individual who goes full force when she wants something.
Katarina said the events were amazing for her on Sunday, actually seeing people congratulating her who she never saw before in her life.
She thanked everyone for coming out along the route and at the Bay St. George YMCA, which totaled about 400 people at the latter location.
To her the gold medal was the ultimate, but for her more than the medal was how humble her daughter showed herself.
“That spoke to me more than anything else,” she said.
Roxon was talking about her daughter’s recent gold medal win in the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On Sunday, Katarina was honoured with a motorcade and reception jointly held by the towns of Stephenville and Kippens.
Her mom said when her daughter was young it was challenging in the sense of a parent’s initial worry of how Katarina would do in life after being born with part of her left arm missing.
“She made it easier for us (parents) because of her determination and stubbornness of wanting to do things herself. She didn’t want any help,” Roxon said.
Growing up she tried everything, from inline skating, cycling, running and taekwondo and was successful at all of them.
“She didn’t want anything stopping her,” Roxon said.
Lisa enrolled both her daughters, Miranda and Katarina, in swimming as both parents felt their daughters should know how to swim.
“She (Katarina) didn’t like swimming at first, especially going anywhere near the deep end,” Roxon said.
But once she got used to the water she took off from there because of her competitive nature.
The mother and daughter have their moments together as Katarina confides in her mom, especially when she needs to unburden herself of something and they have a relaxing “girl talk.”
While both her daughters were growing up, Roxon was a busy mom between running her Gulf Massage and Physiotherapy business and getting the girls to their various involvements.
Travis Gallant, a close friend of Katarina for the past seven years after meeting her at the Regional Aquatic Centre, said it’s tough to come up with words to describe her.
“I can say she’s always there for you, happy, joyful and smiling, never with anything bad to say about anyone,” he said.
Gallant said for the two of them, with her just a year his senior at 23 years old, their friendship is perfect as it is.
He knew she was going to get the gold in the breaststroke event, as it’s her stroke and something she’s worked hard at all these years.
“She deserves nothing but the best.”
Jackie Chaulk, training partner and a good friend of the Roxon family, said the best word to describe Katarina is kind.
“But she’s also humble, dedicated and has strong faith,” she said.
Chaulk said Katarina always makes things about the other person and never herself, an amazing individual who goes full force when she wants something.
Katarina said the events were amazing for her on Sunday, actually seeing people congratulating her who she never saw before in her life.
She thanked everyone for coming out along the route and at the Bay St. George YMCA, which totaled about 400 people at the latter location.
