Editor’s note: Brian Hurley of McCordsville is a proud uncle these days. His niece, Georgina Brayshaw of Yorkshire, England earned an Olympic gold medal for Great Britain in rowing July 31. She was part of a four-member team in the women’s quadruple sculls event. What’s even more remarkable is how she got there: 15 years ago, Georgie had a horse riding accident at age 15 and was paralyzed. After intensive rehabilitation and physiotherapy, she overcame her disability and eventually began rowing.
Georgie Brayshaw is Brian Hurley’s brother’s youngest child. Hurley and his wife built his house 18 years ago in McCordsville; he has a remodeling business and is also a Hancock County Child Advocate, vice president of the Friends of CASA, and is active in McCordsville planning boards.
Daily Reporter: What was it like 15 years ago to hear about Georgie’s horse-riding accident? Did you think she would be able to recover?
Brian Hurley: I knew all about her serious accident 15 years ago. It was a very difficult period as the news we got was she was possibly going to be paralyzed for a long time. My brother sent me an email describing the riding accident, how it had happened and the grim future the hospital gave him and his wife. My brother was in the police and his wife was a midwife. We felt that we could not offer any help and just waited for updates on her condition.
We are not medical experts and had doubts that she would have a full recovery, but to compete so well is outstanding.
DR: What was it like supporting her during her gold medal rowing race?
BH: My family in the U.S. and many friends have became supporters after I began spreading the news that she had been selected for the Great Britain Team. They were all up early (last week) to see how she and her crew were doing. It was a great surprise for all of us how determined she has been for the past years about recovering from the accident and also becoming a Gold medal winner. She and her crew are also current European and World champions.
Seeing Great Britain at the rear of the race and then slowly catching up on the leaders and finally inching past the Netherlands was fantastic, they deserved that gold.
DR: Do you plan to congratulate her personally?
GH: Yes, I hope we can Zoom or do a video with her when she gets back to England.
DR: How are you sharing this story with some of the children you work with through the courts?
GH: She has done so well and I talk to some of my CHINs case children and explain how she has kept so focused on recovery and hope it will install in them that you can overcome personal accidents if you put your mind to it and work hard.
