The keen Auckland swimmer will soon be fitted with a mermaid-style tail made by special effects company Weta Workshop, the creative minds made internationally famous for their work on Lord of the Rings and King Kong.
Vessey was born with a condition that meant her legs would never develop properly, but began swimming after she had her first leg amputated at seven. Despite having her other leg amputated at 16, she swam competitively in high school and now swims as often as she can.
The tail will be moulded on to a pair of wetsuit shorts to make it easy to put on and take off. Vessey says it will allow her to propel herself through the water with an undulating movement as if she was a mermaid.
Weta was excited about the challenge, Vessey says, and offered to donate its staff time and expertise to make the tail if Vessey could cover the costs of the materials, which she was able to do with a grant of $2500 from the Kerr-Taylor Foundation Trust.
Vessey's "flippant" idea was beginning to turn into a reality and work on the tail began at the start of the year.
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