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CNN Live Sunday

15-Year-Old Becomes First Amputee to Cross Lake Erie

Aired September 09, 2001 - 16:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: A story of courage and determination: A 15-year old amputee swam Lake Erie's 12-plus mile stretch from New York to Canada in about 15 hours on Friday. Ashley Cowan is the youngest woman, and first disabled person to do it. She lost her limbs below the knees and elbows after she got meningitis when she was 2 years old. Ashley fought strong currents and a fear of swimming in the darkness.

I talked to her this afternoon about how she found the strength to keep going.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ASHLEY COWAN, AMPUTEE SWIMMER: It was mainly my crew members. They kept me going. They kept saying, like, the shore is so close, you're getting to it, come on, you can do it. I had guys jump in the water with me and swim for a bit with me, and singing and clapping and chanting. And everything kept me going.

KELLEY: Some encouragement there. What did you think about when you were swimming?

COWAN: At first it was good because of the fact that it was helping me move along and then come -- when I got like a mile toward the shore it was getting on my nerves because they kept saying, you're getting there, you're getting there, and it didn't seem like it was getting any closer.

KELLEY: When you got to the shore, how was it when you finished? I know you were absolutely exhausted, but take us there, when you get out of the water.

COWAN: I was tired but I was so excited. I was crying and laughing all at the same time knowing that I finished it. It was great.

KELLEY: You're afraid to swim in darkness. How do you overcome that?

COWAN: I had no choice. They wouldn't let me out.

KELLEY: But how did you deal with that? Did you just try to listen to them or try and distract yourself somehow?

COWAN: Yes. I guess because I was so -- like, I was cold and I just wanted to get out, I didn't even think about the nighttime swim.

KELLEY: What are you going to do next after you've finished something like this?

COWAN: After -- well, I want to do a relay with my swim team across the lake; and then after that probably the English Channel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KELLEY: Ashley's swim helped raise money for a Variety Village; that is a charity that supports children with special needs.

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