AN inspirational swimmer who lost her sight and underwent an organ transplant has been appointed MBE.
Rowena Thomas-Breese, 51, who trains in Rhyl sport centre three times a week with the Dolphins, was nominated for her tireless work as an athlete, fundraiser for Transplant UK and for promoting the Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Mrs Thomas-Breese, who claimed gold, silver and bronze medals in the British and World Transplant Games, described her coach Gerald Hay as “an absolute brick”.
She rediscovered her love of the sport after undergoing a pancreas and kidney transplant 14 years ago.
She said: “I was shocked to find out. I keep saying I’m embarrassed, but that’s not quite the right word. Nobody is really expecting to be appointed an MBE.
“I learned to swim when I was six, but stopped competing when I was about 16 - because of boys and discos. But after the operation I started swimming again to get fit, and I became addicted to the games.”
Husband Nigel, is manager at Magnet Kitchens in Mochdre, and shares her home in Old Colwyn, with guide dog Ellie.
She said: “I had retinopathy as I was diabetic. I lost my sight, but that’s life. If it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. You have to dust yourself off and get on with it.”
Mrs Breese was nominated by Roy and Barbara Higgins, a Conwy couple who board guide dogs, a cause she feels passionately about.
She said: “It changed my life. It gets me out. I go all over the place, I catch the bus, I go to the shops with her - as long as the dog is in a good mood. I don’t know what I’d do without her.
“It took me seven years to apply because I didn’t like the idea of working dogs, but I realised that was silly. Ellie is my baby. She is part of the family.”