Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft MBE took time out of her busy training schedule ahead of Tokyo 2020 to take part. While grand slam winning tennis player Alfie Hewett had a break from preparing for this year’s Wimbledon where he is once again targeting success in both the singles and doubles events. Joining the pair was aspiring athlete Ed Buckley.
The guests provided a fascinating insight into how sport has affected them, with Hannah explaining that she found it tough not being able to join in when she was younger. She said: “PE was always the one thing I was taken out of at school, so I always felt my disability then. But once I found sport it made me accept it a little bit more and see that it is okay.”
Alfie provides a different perspective as, unlike Hannah, he was not born with his disability. He talks candidly on the podcast about being diagnosed with Perthes Disease.
He said: “I was on my feet every day playing football at seven-years-old and then I had a life-changing thing happen to me. The transition was tough, but sport was my way out and helped me through it.”
Ed reveals how sport was a key part of his recovery from a serious brain injury. He was in a coma for six months but has made remarkable progress, not only taking up rowing but also completing two triathlons.
He said: “It is so easy to just sit on your Xbox or PlayStation and do nothing for a whole day, but the reason I have recovered so well, considering how bad I was, is because I’ve stayed very active.”
A total of six podcasts are planned for our ‘Let’s Talk About It’ series, which is focused on many of the issues which relate to living with a disability. Future episodes are set to look at themes from home life and children to travel and managing money.
You can listen to the series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all of the other major podcast providers - head to the Let's Talk About It page for more info.
Turning Point – Summer 2019
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- Centre of Excellence
A new facility providing vital support to disabled children opens in the UK.
- Out in Front
How Nathalie’s determination has led her to a top job in motorsport.
- Trailblazers
Marking 100 years of women in law with a spotlight on some of our inspirational solicitors from all areas of our business.
- Flower Power
Find out how sunflower lanyards are bringing hidden disabilities and conditions into focus.
Download the Turning Point Summer 2019 magazine
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