Caroline Eagleson was born with spina bifida. A neural condition that effects approx. 5000 Australians. Spina bifida occurs when the neural tube surrounding the developing spinal cord of a foetus doesn’t close properly. It effects individuals differently but for Caroline, it meant she was born with no sensory feeling in her lower legs and feet.

Amazingly, Caroline was able to walk although with a limp. During her school years she participated in most activities. Including playing tennis, which proved to become a passion of hers. It was suggested that she should use support aids however, she refused in order to keep herself fully mobile. At a time in life when accessibility was less considered and anything outside ‘normal’ was ridiculed, Caroline navigated her way through her childhood with strength and determination. Unassisted.

At the age of 22 Caroline developed a pressure sore on the heel of one foot. It was persistent and unresponsive to treatments. (An unfortunate addition to spina bifida, is the reduced ability to heal.) The pressure sore became an ulcer and after 3 years of treatments the only solution was foot surgery. Which would be a turning point in Caroline’s life.

Foot surgery left Caroline reliant on one foot. With no feeling in her lower legs, this dramatically hindered her mobility and ease of movement. After trial and error with crutches and many other support aids, it was decided a wheelchair was the best solution to take the pressure off. Inadvertently this decision led to muscular atrophy in both her legs. While not in use the muscles deteriorated to a point where Caroline was unable to stand unassisted. At the age of 25, Caroline found herself learning to navigate the world in a wheelchair.

Moving forward to 2025, did this slow her down? Heck no!!! Most Saturdays you will see Caroline and her husband John, participating in their local Parkrun. Caroline says she runs most of the 5km, with John assisting when needed. Like when the terrain is wet and causing too much drag. Parkrun gives her a rush and she cherishes that real community feel that comes from those who attend.

Caroline also plays wheelchair tennis on Tuesdays. A sport she has taken with her from her childhood days, when tennis was first introduced to her. She notes this is where she really shines. Her sports wheelchair enables her to move with agility. Allowing her to zip about the court fast. It sounds like she is a fierce player and someone to beware of.

Caroline holds a full time Managerial role at the Seven Network where she has worked for approx. 28 years. (And the place where she met John) She frequently travels interstate and abroad, loves a good games night and has a talent for making art.

From a young age spina bifida gave Caroline a choice. To hide within its constraints or to rise above the adversity. And the latter is what she did. Spina bifida gave her unwavering determination. Was it easy? Not always. But with a ‘nothing’s going to stop me’ attitude Caroline has taken hold of her life and made it hers. Learning to find solutions that enable her.

She has a wicked sense of humour that shines brightly on top of all else. And I have no doubt a large component of what makes Caroline who she is.

So, if you happen to see Caroline out at Parkrun, be sure to say hello. And know that once that start is called, in the back of her mind sits that PB she achieved early on in her Parkrun days.

Secretly calling her to try and beat it.

Running with a wheelchair instead of running shoes

The weather effects the terrain at Parkrun. Varying the track conditions from week to week.  Wet, muddy, dry and soft can all cause additional drag on the wheels of the wheelchair. At times making it impossible to move through.

Using a wheelchair to run means you’re on ‘go mode’ the whole way. There is really one pace that you use for the duration. If you slow down, you lose momentum of the wheelchair, making it very hard to regain.

You use a circular motion with your whole arm to turn the wheels. It is not just a push of the wheel down to the ground. This makes for a good workout.

Navigating slower runners or walkers is not as easy as squeezing through the middle.  

People don’t like to be passed by someone in a wheelchair. They seem to find a power surge from somewhere, even on their deathbed.

The injury most endured is broken fingernails. Not the usual running injury.

I started running because

I wanted to move and be active but also wanted to do something that was “self-contained” – no special equipment required.

Little known fact

I used to be envious of runners. Being able to quickly lace up a pair of shoes and get out the door for a run.

Was I hooked straight away

I’m not sure hooked, but the feeling afterwards of accomplishment – no matter what your time is – is addictive.

PB’s – for those that must know

5km – 33:57

14km – 01:49:25

Favourite Quote

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

 ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~