WOMEN IN POLICING
their impairment. They have to be classified nationally, before being nominated to be classified internationally; so since 2022, I have had two classifications. I am classified as an S10, SB9, and SM10 in swimming. The S category is for Freestyle, Backstroke, and Butterfly. The SB category is for Breaststroke. And the SM category is for the IM (individual medley). S1-10 is for physical impairments (1-9 for Breaststroke only), with 1 being the most impaired and 10 being the least. S11-13 is for visual impairments. And S14 is for intellectual impairments. Back to my journey,
having only received my official diagnosis in 2021, everything has moved so quickly. I have an impairment that affects my muscles on the left side of my body which has always been the case and for many years went undiagnosed until the pandemic hit. Unfortunately, I was not allowed in a swimming pool for nearly three months during the lockdown. On my return I noticed something was very wrong. Although I have struggled with my kick and my turns since I learnt to swim, nothing prepared me for losing the use of my left leg in the water. This was quite a scary time, and I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was lucky enough to see a neurologist who was able to give me a diagnosis which then meant I could be classified.
I have to thank my parents for everything they have done to support me, from taking me to my first-ever swimming lesson when I was 16 weeks old, to every training session and competitions all over the country. They have given up so much over so many years and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. My mum never knew that I would go on to compete or make it to the Paralympics, she thought I would just learn to swim and then drop out, but I found my love for competing and the
doing quicker times than what I was doing pre-Covid. Who would’ve thought that entering a swimming race for a joke would be the swim that would take me to the Paralympics. I don’t think many people can say that! Living with a disability and being a
“Living with a disability and being a
competitive swimmer, I hope people read this story and realise that people with disabilities are capable of doing anything, and having a disability should not create barriers.”
adrenaline rush that I get every time I get into the swimming pool to race is just a different feeling. Since being classified, I have achieved so much. I am the current European Champion for S10 100m Butterfly and I am currently number 3 in the world this year, which is setting me up nicely for Paris. I hadn’t done 100m Butterfly since 2019 and I did it as a joke in the World Para Series this year in Aberdeen. My mum has been pushing me to do 100m Butterfly for a little while and I am now
competitive swimmer, I hope people read this story and realise that people with disabilities are capable of doing anything, and having a disability should not create barriers. If people have a disability, it doesn’t stop us. Just because we have a disability doesn’t mean we can’t do things that others can. There are lots of things we can do with adaptations. Despite the tough
phases I am a qualified radiographer working full-time, a special constable, and in full-
time swim training. I am still here, and I have reached the place in sports where everyone wants to get to – at the top. I want to do my best in Paris, but I know I’ve still got a little bit of a journey to get back to my absolute best. The art of para- swimming is that there is no age limit, so there are para-swimmers from other countries who are in their 40s and are still producing personal best, it’s never too late as a para-swimmer. I will do my best in Paris and give it everything I have while hoping it won’t be my last Paralympics.
47 | POLICE | AUGUST | 2024
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