Heidi was told her daughter would struggle to walk. Now she is a runner

When Heidi Shoecraft’s daughter Maia was just a baby, doctors told her she would have limited movement.

But this now 12-year-old is a national champion in running, a testament to the power of love, hard work and dedication.

The couple, who live in the small town of Theodore in central Queensland, have come a long way in Maia’s short life.

“It’s been a journey and she’s definitely accomplished a lot of goals,” Heidi said.

Maia was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was 14 months old – it affects the left side of the body, causing the muscles to contract.

“We had an MRI which showed that she had suffered a brain haemorrhage… it was a pretty tumultuous time for us.

It was the beginning of a journey that would change Heidi’s life, including her career.

Encouraged by the doctor’s words and living hundreds of kilometers from major health centers, this certified public accountant began to study exercise and physical activity at university.

“This led to my certificates in exercise, and I completed a BA in exercise and sports science and then went on to do a masters in exercise science.

“I moved on”

The Danish-born mother of three spent seven years completing her distance learning course to become a fully qualified exercise physiologist.

Allied Health Professions develops exercise programs for people with acute or chronic illnesses, injuries or disabilities.

“I kept going and I think it also taught me a lot about cerebral palsy and other disabilities,” she said.

“Maia has definitely been a big part of me making these decisions.”

Maia underwent major surgery in 2021 to lengthen her calf muscles, to make it easier for her to walk.

“So as she was growing… her bones were growing and her muscles were still contracting, she ended up tiptoeing on her left foot,” Heidi said.

But doctors had warned Heidi that the operation could not completely fix the problem.

“They indicated that she would start shortening her calf muscles again, but you know, we haven’t seen any of that,” she said.

National champion

Heidi began to apply what she had learned in her studies to Maia’s daily activities, encouraging her daughter to walk, bike and even run.

Maia said her schedule is full of activity.

“Every morning we run,” Maia said.

“Sometimes on Mondays we go to improvisation class, on Tuesdays there are exercises in the morning.

“Wednesdays it might just be driving and then Thursday like Tuesday and Friday is just touch and go.

Not only has all this exercise improved her mobility, it has helped Maia become a national champion runner in her multi-division category.

In August, the 12-year-old traveled to Melbourne, where she won the national cross-country championships for the second year in a row.

“When I know other people have the same disability as me, I can talk to them about how I feel about it, I feel really good.”

Maia now has her sights set on the 2032 Brisbane Paralympic Games.

“Try to improve my running by getting a faster time,” she said.

“Just keep training, hopefully make it to the Olympics.”

A “giving role” helps others

Heidi now helps others in her community live a healthy and active life.

She opened a gym on Theodore’s main street and treats patients who would otherwise have to travel hundreds of miles.

She also holds bicycle spin classes at the local gym.

GP Dr Bruce Chater said Heidi provided an invaluable service to the community.

“We don’t have a full-time physio… so Heidi has to step up and take on a pseudo-medical role at the moment,” Dr Chater said.

“I think it rubs off on her in her training as well, she’s really unstoppable.”

Heidi said for her it was a matter of doing what needed to be done.

“Like so many people who finish their education later in life, you wish you had done it sooner, I love that.

“It’s a very rewarding role.”