The time for Maureen McKinnon-Tucker to fulfill a dream that began seven years ago is almost here.
As the Summer Olympics in Beijing get set to wrap up, the worlds best Paralympians will gather in the ancient Chinese City for the 2008 Summer Paralympics, to be held Sept. 6-17. Marblehead's McKinnon-Tucker will represent the United States in sailing at the Olympics for disabled athletes.
The 43-year-old McKinnon Tucker, who was paralyzed in a fall off a seawall several years ago, will race along with her partner, Nick Scandone, the US Sailing 2006 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. They are among the favorites to capture a gold medal in their Skud-18 sailing class in Beijing.
Scandone, however, has ALS and has weakened considerably since the two sailors dominated the competition by winning 11 of 14 races at the U.S. Paralympic Trials last October. They had captured the gold medal and the right to represent the United States at the Paralympic Games with their huge nine-point cushion of victory.
If that wasn't enough, McKinnon-Tucker and her husband, Dan, have had to deal with the news that their young son, Trent, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last January.
Having undergone treatment at Mass. General Hospital and six rounds of chemotheraphy, Trent's lastest MRI showed virtually no residual tumor — and that was before the first of his 28 radiation treatments.
"Dan and I are tremendously relieved that the chemotherapy process is behind us. It was tough because Trent had to spend 21 days in the hospital each time," said McKinnon-Tucker said. "I knew the training would be tough, but the cancer curveball was something we weren't expecting."
Still, she admitted, life feels a bit easier now that her son is feeling better and that the Paralympics are almost here. She and Scandone must now go about their business of training to make sure they're in the best shape possible, making any last-minute changes needed.
"I still want to lose a couple of pounds for the light air conditions in China," said McKinnon-Tucker. "But sure, there are plenty of mornings when I don't feel like getting up at 5 a.m. to do my swim routine, and a lot of times I have come home late at night when my kids were already in bed. That is not easy for a Mom."
Preparatino for the Games hasn't been easy as Scandone's disease has progressed. He is ready to race, but must conserve his energy. The team has done everything possible to make things easier for the world champion sailor, who seems to find the most tranquility when he's out on the water.
"We did not go to China to train because the traveling would have taken too much out of Nick," said McKinnon-Tucker, who instead made several weeklong trips to the West Coast every 3-4 weeks to train for the Paralympics with Scandone. "We sailed in San Diego and the Long Beach area, where they mimic the water and wave conditions are the same as those we will see at Qingdao International Sailing Centre (where the sailing competition will take place). It's been much more convenient.
"Nick is getting weaker and his voice is not strong, so we added an electronic amplification system to the boat. For sailing he needs his biceps and triceps, which are still strong, and his mind which is sharp as a tack. He is an incredible sailor with so much knowledge, and although he has to rest before and after sailing he's still able to get the job done."
McKinnon noted that the team's supporters have donated their United Airline miles so Scandone can be upgraded and have a reclining seat for the trip to Beijing.
"That will be his last time traveling. After that, who knows how much longer he has?" she said.
When Trent was first diagnosed, McKinnon-Tucker faced the difficult decision of whether to pull out of Paralympic training or go on. One reason she decided to keep going while changing her schedule to put her son's needs first was because this is Scandone's last chance to go for the gold.
After trying but failing to qualify for the 2004 Games in Athens in the Sonar class, McKinnon-Tucker switched to the two-person boat. One reason for the change was the Skud-18 Class must have one female on the team. The 18-foot Olympic class boat is a very fast roller coaster ride.
The U.S. competitors will all depart from the US Olympic Center in Colorado Springs next week. They will have their documents finalized and be given their USA team attire before flying to Beijing, then on to Qingdao for Sept. 6 Opening Ceremonies.
There won't be much time for sightseeing and taking in other events, because just two days later they will begin racing.
"Dan and our daughter Dana will fly to China a week after I do,," said McKinnon-Tucker. "Trent has to stay at home for treatment, but I am happy my husband and Dana will be there because it would be awfully lonely without them."
