S. A. STERLING's Blog

Dear Readers,

Welcome to another inspiring tale in our "Inspiring Mothers" series at Women Rising Strong. This January 2024, we're highlighting the remarkable life of Dame Sarah Storey. Known globally for her Paralympic victories, Sarah's journey as a mother is equally compelling and inspiring. As we explore her story, we see how the roles of an elite athlete and a dedicated mother intertwine, offering us an extraordinary example of strength and resilience.

In "Ride On!," Sarah's story as a mother unfolds with remarkable resilience and unwavering commitment. After bouncing back from challenges and winning two gold medals at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Italy, Sarah's perspective as a mother added a unique dimension to her career. She said, "Seeing my sporting career through my kids’ eyes has only motivated me to work harder. Now that they’ve joined the Storey fan club, I have the privilege of not only continuing to do what makes me happy but of getting to expose my children to all these unique experiences."

Living in Disley, Cheshire with her two children, Louise Marie and Charlie John, Sarah and her husband Barney, a retired tandem pilot coach, have embraced a life that melds family values with sporting excellence. "My family is essential to everything," Sarah shared in an interview, underscoring the foundational role her family plays in her life and achievements.

Even amidst the demanding schedule of a professional athlete, Sarah managed to balance her responsibilities as a mother, finding time to breastfeed her children during major sporting events like the 2014 and 2020 Paralympic Games. This incredible balancing act between motherhood and a professional career is a testament to her strength and dedication. "With sport, because the kids are there and they experience it in a way that sort of really drives me on even more, that kind of makes the hard work even more worthwhile," she reflected.



This month, as we celebrate "Inspiring Mothers," let's recognize Dame Sarah Storey for her amazing strength and love as a mom. Her story shows us how women can handle being a mom while also following their own dreams and careers. We'd love to hear about the inspiring moms in your lives. Their stories can give us all motivation and strength.



Warmly,

S.A. Sterling

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Dear Readers,
In our series celebrating the strength and resilience of mothers, I am honored to share with you Anna Maria's moving story. Born in Switzerland and raised in Italy, Anna Maria's life has been a tapestry of love, loss, and unwavering strength. Her journey is not just a tale of maternal love, but also of finding light in the darkest of times. As you read her story, I hope you find inspiration in her courage and her ability to keep the wind blowing despite everything.


YET THE WIND STILL BLOWS ......
My story is one of many stories of women, of mothers.
I was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, not because I am German, but because my parents were there working to earn money and build a house in Italy. Unable to keep me due to work, they sent me to Italy to live with my grandparents, where I grew up in a beautiful country house, full of affection and cuddles. There were my grandparents, uncles who never let me want for anything, and I grew up serene.
Then, my parents decided to return to Italy permanently, and I joined them. A sister and a brother were also born, and the family went on with its satisfactions and difficulties. But my heart always remained there, in that country house where I had spent my childhood, so much so that in my adolescence I returned to live with my grandparents. My adolescence was a continuous search for myself, among doubts, sufferings due to misunderstandings I created, a bit of anorexia, and expectations for the future.
I always had a great faith in God, witnessed by my grandmother Augusta, so much so that I thought my path was not in marriage but in total dedication to Him. Around twenty, I met the love of my life (so I thought). But it wasn't so. I left him because he was a man undecided between choosing what his mother and sister said and what I proposed to him.
The disappointment was so great that I didn't want to know about anyone anymore. The men I met were all problematic. So, I gave up and dedicated myself to travel, theater (I acted in a company), and fun. But I missed a partner to share life with, to form a family, to have children. And finally, one summer in Lignano, I met a boy my age (I was already 29 years old) who immediately courted me, sought me out despite the distance. He lived in Lombardy, I in Veneto. But the distances soon shortened. He was sure of what he said, wanted a family, was not attached to his mother's apron strings. And he was also a handsome man. In short, the right type. So, we got married, and I left the land I had grown up in and loved so much for love. It was not easy. Moving to live in Lombardy, in the province of Lecco, caused many problems for me. Loneliness, nostalgia were daily companions. Even though my life was brightened by the birth of Davide. My beautiful Davide. Beautiful treasure, infinite joy, beloved son (and later you will understand why I use these adjectives).
After Davide, Alessandro was also born. But the nostalgia didn't leave me and, like a woodworm, led me to a very strong depression, which gripped my life for years. It seemed the black tunnel would never end. But slowly, with pharmaceutical treatments and the attention of my husband, I recovered. I came out of the tunnel and started living again. But ... another blow of life was waiting for me around the corner. The death of my son Davide, 22 years old.
There was a party in the woods of the town. Friday evening, he left after dinner and with a smile greeted me. I never saw him again. At 3 in the morning of Saturday, July 9, 2016, my husband and I heard motorcycles on the road. And then ... Bang a shot. We rushed out. We saw two motorcycles on the ground with their respective drivers. "It's Davide," my husband shouted at me. "But how Davide!" I yelled. It was him, lying on the ground dead. My husband tried to resuscitate his heart. But nothing. Along with him was another boy on the ground with another motorcycle. He too was dead. Incredible pain. Two young lives cut short. An endless morning. The police, the usual questions, the hearse, the morgue, identifying the body. Terrible. I was stunned, so was my husband. The news went around the village, everyone was incredulous. Journalists and television arrived. "No, no, I don't want to see anyone." Friends, relatives, relatives from Veneto arrived. There were no words, but Davide was no longer there. "Please let me see him," I asked the hospital. "You can't until the magistrate's order." Finally, the order arrived and I could look at my son's face, with his eyes closed, with his rasta hair, motionless. "Darling, love, why? Why did you take the motorcycle? Wasn't it there, didn't you have the car? Why?" Before the funeral, for two evenings the oratory of the town of Monte Marenzo was crowded with young people and people praying, talking, giving a last farewell to the two young men. On Tuesday, July 12, the funeral was held. Maybe a thousand people? I don't know, there were so many. The mayor decided to declare the city in mourning. My heart broke when I saw the coffin carried on shoulders to the cemetery and disappear inside the niche, closed with cement.
I always say: half of my heart lives for Alessandro, but half of my heart is buried. For days and days, I stared at the empty chair at the table set at home, and for days and days I cried, prayed. But I had to be strong because my husband and Alessandro were down and I had to be strong for them. My husband Gianmarco one afternoon vented with all the desperation of a suffering man and said "Why me? What have I done wrong to deserve this? God has punished me." And there I was comforting him but at the same time I was in difficulty seeing him in those conditions. Then, he made a decision. He would get tattoos on his body to exorcise the pain. And so he did. He got quite a few, because he said the more he suffered the better he felt. Time passed and one day I had an idea. Write a book in memory of Davide.
I had many writings from my youth and also more recent ones. I decided to put them all together in a collection of poems and stories. When I started putting together the drafts it seemed that an invisible hand was guiding me to facilitate the work. And in a few weeks, I put together the draft of the book. I called the publisher, made an agreement, and the book was born with the title "The Seed Under the Snow". I presented it to the public on July 9, 2019, with a crowd of people. I also linked it to a fundraiser for an association that works for Africa.
This thing gave me a new light in my soul. I had done something in memory of Davide. Davide would not be forgotten. So much was the enthusiasm that from there also started the idea of an association that promoted social, cultural initiatives, and good life for the village. I called it Il Germoglio del Monte. It is still active. I had received so much in terms of affection, solidarity from the villagers that I had touched the heart of the village, Monte Marenzo, and I promised myself that, as long as I could, my gratitude towards them would be great. But my story does not end here. Despite these initiatives and activities, it happened that for a period I was bad, I always cried. Perhaps I had held on too much not to worry my husband who was already ill himself. So, advised by my doctor, I went to the psychologist and went through a process of reworking the grief. I had questions inside my soul that I couldn't answer, I felt guilty. This psychologist helped me untangle the knot of pain and find serenity.
Now I live my life first of all for me, for my son Alessandro, for my husband Gianmarco, and in constant memory of my son Davide. The sad moments cannot pass completely, but the things I do fill me with satisfaction and joy and that is what counts.
I hope my story can be useful to someone. Getting help is my advice, do not close up in pain otherwise it's over. I am a believer and my prayer helps me feel in communion with my son Davide.
Yet the wind still blows .... Despite everything.
Anna Maria


Anna Maria's story is a poignant reminder of the power of the human spirit to overcome the most profound grief and hardships. Her journey from the nostalgic fields of Italy to coping with unimaginable loss, and eventually finding a path to healing and contribution, speaks to the resilience that lies within each of us. We invite you, our readers, to share your own stories of inspiring mothers. Whether it's a tale of triumph, endurance, or transformation, your narratives can offer hope and encouragement to others. Please share your stories in the comments below or submit them at https://www.sasterling.com/share. The most touching and inspiring stories will be featured on our website later in January. Let's come together to celebrate and honor these extraordinary women in our lives.

With heartfelt regards,
S.A. Sterling

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Author Margaret Stenhouse wrote this wonderful review of my book. Thank you Margaret!

“Ride On! Dame Sarah Storey's Extraordinary Journey of Triumph” by S.A Sterling

S.A. Sterling's scrupulously researched biography of multiple Paralympics gold medal winner and sports phenomenon Sarah Storey is a fascinating account of perseverance, resilience and determination against odds that would have discouraged a less courageous and motivated person.
Storey was born without the use of her left arm and had to overcome many obstacles, including bullying at school because she was “different”, the skepticism of trainers and the difficulty of finding sponsors when she decided to embark on a career of competitive swimming.
As S.A. Sterling recounts Sarah wasn't long in proving her critics wrong.
Sarah's extraordinary courage took her through a major crisis, such as the necessity to give up her promising swimming career due to persistent ear infections and chronic fatigue, and embark on a new venture in competitive cycling, where she proved herself – once more – a winner.
In between collecting medals and accolades, Storey has also coped with pregnancy and motherhood, thanks also to the unfailing support of her family and husband Barney.
The book also emphasizes the human aspects of Storey's life as an athlete, as well as a mother, encouraging women to follow her example and fulfil their full potential. She has campaigned for more opportunities for women in sport and better media coverage for sports events and contests involving athletes with disabilities, as well as road safety for cyclists and schoolchildren.
S.A. Sterling's book carries a powerful message for all women and for people who suffer from some physical or social disadvantage. Like Dame Storey (title awarded in the British Honours List of 2013), never give up on a dream, work towards your goal and aim, like her, for the Highest!

MARGARET STENHOUSE, author of “The Stonecutter’s Memoirs”

Margaret Stenhouse's "The Stonecutter's Memoirs" is a heartfelt tale of love, war, and memories that shape us. The story unfolds in a charming yet troubled Italian mountain village, where the past seems to hang in the air. The niece, a movie star, returns home to say a final goodbye to her Uncle Mimmo. Through her, we uncover a rich tapestry of relationships and long-buried secrets.

The characters feel like old friends, especially Mimmo with his deep wisdom and his lost love, Maria Stella. The story shows us how the village and its people have been forever changed by war, yet how love and memories keep them connected.

The castle, once the village's heart, now stands empty but is still full of stories. I was particularly touched by the journey of Maria Stella, whose life takes a tragic turn but also holds a shimmer of hope.

This book is a gentle reminder that we're all shaped by our past and that even in the face of tragedy, there's always room for love and remembrance. A simple, yet profound read that will stick with you.

S.A. Sterling
Author of "Ride On! Dame Sarah Storey's Extraordinary Journey of Triumph"
www.sasterling.com




THE STONECUTTER'S MEMOIRS: A person with no memories is no person at all.........

Introduction: A Revolution on Two Wheels

Hello, lovely readers!
Today, I have a treat for you—an inspiring story that will fuel your soul and inspire you to make your mark on the world. We're delving into the life of Dame Sarah Storey, a name that stands synonymous with greatness in the world of cycling. But did you know that her impact goes far beyond sports? Yes, she's a Paralympian, a record-breaker, and an all-around athlete. But, more significantly, she's a trailblazer and an activist committed to making the world a better place, one pedal stroke at a time. Without further ado, let's dive into "The Wheel Revolution."Ride On! Dame Sarah Storey’s Extraordinary Journey of Triumph: How to Unleash the Power within, Push Boundaries, and Champion Excellence


The Mirror of Society

If sports are a mirror reflecting the values and flaws of society, then Dame Sarah Storey is an athlete determined to polish that mirror until it reflects a picture of inclusivity. She puts it aptly: "As athletes, we do continue to strive and push forward to make sure that inclusion and diversity is always at the forefront." For many, Storey's name conjures images of a formidable Paralympian, a cyclist who has dominated her sport in ways previously considered impossible. But those who delve deeper into her life story will discover another layer to this extraordinary woman—an advocate for change.


Early Life Lessons

Storey’s own journey began with struggles—born with a deformed left hand, she might have been consigned to the margins of sport and social inclusion. Yet, propelled by parents who nurtured her ambitions rather than her limitations, Storey embarked on an athletic career that redefined disability. Her early encounters with adversity instilled in her a passionate commitment to representation and resources for differently-abled individuals.


Inequality in the Spotlight

This experience also highlighted the gender-based disparities prevalent in sports. Not content with just breaking records, she has been relentless in breaking glass ceilings, too. Storey asserts, "We now really need to see some step changes in the events that we ride in the UK," pointing to the systemic changes necessary for true equality. She’s brought attention to the wage gaps, unequal sponsorship deals, and fewer media opportunities that female athletes face, using her influence to instigate vital conversations.


The Need for Change

Why activism? For Storey, the answer is as clear as her track record. She could have easily focused solely on her athletic endeavors, but she chose to use her platform to spotlight systemic inequities in both women's sports and disability sports. She believes, "You should celebrate everyone’s success in the same way, and make sure that everybody has that opportunity to feel that their contribution was valued and that they’re part of that bigger team." From inadequate funding to scant media coverage, these barriers hold back untapped talent from blossoming into champions. Storey understands that her accomplishments grant her not just a platform, but a responsibility to be a catalyst for transformation.


The Power of Policy

In 2019, Storey took up the mantle of Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester. To the uninitiated, this may sound like a purely bureaucratic role. However, Storey saw it as a golden opportunity for ground-level change. Speaking about road safety, Storey does not mince her words: "Any death or serious injury on our roads is one too many, and these collisions are already devastating people’s lives…These incidents are neither acceptable or inevitable, and we should all be doing everything we can to prevent them." Manchester began to prioritize cycling-friendly urban planning, thereby reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. This had a ripple effect, encouraging other cities to reconsider their approaches to urban mobility.


Active Travel Commissioner: More Than a Title

The role enabled her to amplify her voice far beyond the competitive cycling circuit. She spearheaded initiatives for safer cycling routes, particularly around schools. This seemingly simple change has far-reaching implications: it makes cycling more viable for families and commuters, thereby fostering a healthier lifestyle for entire communities. She notes, "Inspiration to participation isn’t always easy to translate, but there’s an even bigger drive across the region, and I’m looking forward to building on this momentum."


A Grassroots Revolution

Storey believes that activism begins at the grassroots level. To that end, she has engaged local communities in conversations about what inclusivity should look like in practical terms. Through town hall meetings and community surveys, she’s ensured that her policies are informed by the very people they aim to benefit.


A Multi-Pronged Approach

To effectuate lasting change, Storey has taken a multi-faceted strategy. Not only has she pushed for increased funding in building cycling lanes, but she has also been instrumental in promoting adaptive sports programs in educational institutions. This holistic methodology tackles the problem at its roots, making sports and physical activity accessible to all children, regardless of physical ability or socio-economic background. After visiting a school in Chorlton, she enthused, "It was very uplifting and demonstrated perfectly why investing in walking, wheeling and cycling has far-reaching positive consequences for today, tomorrow and the bright futures of these fabulous children."


Mentorship and Representation

Beyond policy and programs, Dame Sarah believes in the transformative power of mentorship and visibility. She is a regular face at workshops and schools, sharing her story to inspire the next generation of athletes and activists. In today’s world, where popular culture and social media heavily influence youngsters, the importance of a real-life hero advocating for true inclusivity cannot be overstated.


A Fight Far from Over

Change is a slow-moving wheel, but it gains momentum with every revolution. "The course ahead is challenging, no doubt. But I've never been one to shy away from a challenge," she adds. Storey knows the path ahead is strewn with obstacles—social stigmas to dismantle, bureaucratic red tape to cut through, and a future generation to educate and empower. Yet, the challenge doesn’t daunt her; it fuels her resolve to pedal harder, both on the track and in the sphere of social change.


A Legacy Beyond the Podium

Dame Sarah Storey isn't just a beacon of athletic excellence; she’s a pioneer on a broader social spectrum. By proactively seeking to alter the status quo, she's laying down the foundation for a more inclusive world. Her work resonates far beyond the cycle tracks and sports halls—it's a clarion call for a society where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated.


Unstoppable Wheel of Change

In the grand arc of history, medals may tarnish and records may be surpassed, but the wheel revolution that Dame Sarah Storey has instigated stands to roll on inexorably. "The goal isn't just to win races; it's to change the rules of the race altogether," she concludes. It's a revolution that strives for a world where anyone—regardless of gender, physical ability, or social background—can mount a bicycle and ride fearlessly towards a horizon of limitless possibilities.


Conclusion: Changing Gears for a Better Tomorrow

So there you have it, the remarkable journey of Dame Sarah Storey, a woman whose relentless pursuit of greatness on the cycling track is parallelled only by her commitment to social justice and inclusivity. Her story isn't just a tale of athletic prowess; it's a masterclass in using one's platform to champion broader societal change. Her legacy will undoubtedly reverberate through the sports world and the fabric of society for years to come, affecting how we view ability, gender, and what it means to be a truly inclusive community.


And now, the wheel turns to you.

Reflection Questions:
1. How can you leverage your talents and platform, no matter how small, to contribute to a cause you're passionate about?
2. In what ways can sports be a mirror reflecting societal values, and how can we all contribute to polishing that mirror?
3. Have you ever faced a limitation or stereotype that you had to overcome to achieve your goals? What did that journey teach you?
4. What steps can you take in your community to advocate for inclusivity and diversity?

I would love to hear your thoughts, reflections, and commitments to change. Please share your answers to these questions in the comments section below. Because, in the grand scheme of things, every pedal stroke counts, and every voice can contribute to the wheel revolution we so desperately need.

Stay empowered, and as always, rise strong!

Yours truly,
S.A. Sterling