Amy (Kneebone) Burk is a wife, mom and high-performance athlete

Amy (Kneebone) Burk with her husband Tyler and their two sons, five-year-old Lucas and baby Ryan. - Contributed

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Amy (Kneebone) Burk is a driven individual with no intention of slowing down.

Amy (Kneebone) Burk with her two sons five-year-old Lucas and Ryan, who turns one in September.

Almost a year after giving birth to her second son, Burk is back on the national goalball team trying to help Canada qualify for next summer’s Paralympics in Tokyo.

“I wanted to come back. I wanted to be stronger, fitter – that’s just the competitive drive in me,” the 29-year-old Charlottetown native said. “

I like to prove you can be a mom and you can also be a high-performance athlete at the same time.”

It isn’t easy but is well worth it for the Ottawa resident and her family.

Burk and her husband Tyler have two sons. The oldest is Lucas, 5, while Ryan will turn one on Sept. 4.

“It’s a lot of balancing schedules,” she said, noting the important contributions from Tyler as well as both of their parents.

“They’ve been super supportive and helpful in every way they can. . . It’s a lot on my plate, but it’s also a lot on everyone else’s plate, too.”

The hectic schedule means things like doing her own workouts after getting the kids to bed.
It would be simple to take the easy way out and put it off for tomorrow, but that’s not Burk’s m.o.

“If you want to compete, you need to train. If you want to be one of the best, you really have to train,” she said. “I like to show my boys, whatever you want, you have to work for it. Things don't just get handed to you.”
She also hopes she be a bit of a role model for the younger generation who might be nervous to try something new.

• A lot on the line for Canada at Parapan American Games goalball competition

• Burk's profile page

• Parapan American Games goalball results page

Parapan American Games

What – An international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities.

Where – Lima, Peru.

When – Today to Sept. 1.

Canadian contingent – 151 athletes, including sport assistants, pilots, and guides. The 17 sports Canada is competing in are: Para athletics, Para badminton, boccia, Para cycling, football 7-a-side, football 5-a-side, goalball, Para judo, Para powerlifting, shooting Para sport, sitting volleyball, Para swimming, Para table tennis, Para taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.
Local connection – Charlottetown native Amy (Kneebone) Burk is part of the goalball team.

Burk said: “I want to show people I can be a mom and I can also go and try to achieve my goals and reach my dreams.”