The very first time I heard the word Paralympic I was 14 years old. I had no clue what my mates were on about, Donnie they said, ‘you could be a Paralympic swimmer’, a what? was my reply. That was in 1990. Wow did my journey begin after.

I never did become a Paralympic swimmer but I did make it to 3 Paralympic Games competing in athletics in the Pentathlon. Along the way I met some amazing people, (a few bone heads also) but it’s the people that I am still in touch with today that made becoming a Paralympian so special. It’s my life long friends, it’s the understanding of what it’s like to work as part of a team, to be willing to do things that others wont, to challenge yourself and what you believe.

To any person with a disability, I highly recommend you have a look at what the Paralympics are all about, it’s not for everyone, but if you love sport, travel, are willing to work your but off and can see yourself doing something special with your life then being a Paralympian might just be for you.

To every person that has joined the elite ranks of Paralympian I congratulate you, to those that are aspiring to do so, I encourage you to dig that little bit deeper and can assure you that it will be well worth it when the time comes.

Cheers

Donnie