Being open to the unknown leads to unexpected opportunities for KSR grad

KSR grad Sierra Roth trains in para-rowing, aiming to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

When Sierra Roth, ’21 BScKin, began her University of Alberta journey, she had no idea she would emerge four years later with Paralympic dreams and a deep passion for advocacy. But as Roth says, when we remain open to possibilities, life can take us in directions we never expected—and that’s a good thing.

We spoke to Roth about her time in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSR), her work with The Steadward Centre for Personal & Physical Achievement and her Paralympics goals as a member of Canada’s NextGen Rower program.

What are some of your favourite KSR memories?

Because the student group in Kinesiology is small, it felt like a second family. We started out in “rookie camp” where we spent some time together with other incoming students and alumni, and I immediately felt like I had 100 new friends and great connections with alumni from that first experience. Some of my fourth-year classes were also the best times because there was so much hands-on experience, at least before the pandemic hit. Doing an exchange program in Australia was also a highlight. 

What were some of the greatest challenges you faced while completing your degree?

Navigating fourth year during a pandemic was the biggest challenge. I was in Australia when the pandemic hit; I was supposed to be there on a six-month exchange and had to come home after only a month. I had also made plans to do my final practicum full time in person with Ocean Rehab and Fitness in Vancouver—which specializes in adaptive training for those with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities—and I ended up having to do that virtually instead, on a part-time basis. Since I was unable to travel to Vancouver, I stayed in Edmonton, where I completed the remainder of my practicum in the U of A’s Rehabilitation Robotics Lab. 

What were the biggest lessons you took from those challenges?

I’m one of those people who needs a lot of variety in my everyday life, and the pandemic forced me into what ended up being the perfect situation for me—I did a little bit of everything during my practicum, splitting my time between two. And even though I had looked forward to hands-on training, someone with a disability sometimes can’t participate fully in that. So doing everything virtually taught me that verbal communication is one of my biggest strengths. I learned through that that my voice is my number 1 tool. 

How did you get into para-rowing and why is it your sport of choice?

When I was 16, I was involved in a motocross accident that left me with a disability, and I quickly learned there’s not a lot out there for someone who wants to become physically active with a new disability. I began wheelchair racing when I started university, then I was introduced to rowing in 2019. Living in Australia, I realized I wanted to be on the water as much as possible, so rowing is a great fit. I’m now living in Victoria, B.C., where I train six days a week. Mornings are on the water at Elk Lake on the outskirts of Victoria, followed by time in the gym for strength coaching or cross-training in the afternoon. My ultimate goal is to compete in the 2028 Paralympic Games.

What would competing in the Games mean to you? 

I’ve given this a lot of thought. Some of my teammates didn’t come home from Tokyo with medals and their experience had nothing to do with medals or results. It was the fact that not many people get to experience this—and for me, it would be so great to bring that message home and share that with people across the country. When I ask myself why I might chase the Olympics experience, it’s more for the life experiences than for any medal. And I can use that to inspire others who have struggled with finding a path to sport and active living with a disability.

Where does your work at The Steadward Centre fit with your other projects and your training?

I have a bunch of different roles, but they all tie into disability. At The Steadward Centre, I work as a youth engagement coordinator, working to get more youth involved in sport and recreation. Because most para-athletes don’t see people like themselves as coaches, it tends to deter them from sport in general. So last fall, I helped pilot the Athletes2Coaches program, which exposed para-athletes to coaching opportunities with three para-sport leaders (all of whom have experience as para-athletes themselves!). It’s one small step in the right direction.

I’m now working on making web accessibility a priority at The Steadward Centre. We noticed a lack of accessibility when it comes to online registration, for example, where some clutter on the website is a barrier to visually impaired people and those who have little experience with computers. I worked with The Steadward Centre to apply for a grant from the federal government’s Enabling Accessibility Fund and got the full $10,000, which will help support our work to make the site more screen-reader friendly. 

What inspires you?

A lot of support systems and mentors (like Timothy Konoval as a previous coach and professor, and Jennifer Leo, director at The Steadward Centre) have reinforced that energy I need to keep fighting, when I see the low numbers of people with disabilities getting involved in physical activity. But mostly what it comes down to is my own lived experience. I’ve been able to connect with people all over the country and learn their stories, and they are all dear to my heart. They touch on a lot of things I’ve experienced. After my accident, I was deterred from sport and recreation for a long time and it wasn’t until I came to university that I realized there is a lot out there; you just have to learn how to find it. I want to fill that information gap for people like me. I believe we all have a right to play, and I want to help others figure out what that can mean for them. 

Any advice or words of wisdom for soon-to-be-graduating KSR students?

All of the various experiences I’ve had, including learning during a pandemic, have grown into opportunities I never could have predicted. I’d say be open to the possibilities. The pandemic actually ended up steering me in a different direction. It gave me time to reflect on how I could make a kinesiology program really work for me, and it helped me learn what I most love to do every day.