18.06.2019
Our Don’t Quit, Do It campaign highlights the many ways sport helps people recover from serious injuries and other major traumas in their lives.
With the World Cup in France attracting record TV audiences and the summer providing a perfect platform to showcase the best female sporting action we are here to make sure no one forgets the many women that make disability sport so impressive.
Our work with people who have suffered life changing injuries means we recognise the many benefits that physical activity and sport can have. 12 million people in the UK have a disability but only one in six takes part in sport regularly and twice as many men take part than women.
We want this to change, which is why we’ve produced a short video clip highlighting some of the thrill seekers, clients and competitors that embrace women’s disability sport at all levels.
Over the next few weeks we’ll be using social media to celebrate people who have refused to be defined by their injury or illness and have gone on to embrace sport as part of their rehabilitation and change their game.
Hannah Cockroft
Hannah's disability was caused by two cardiac arrests at birth, which left her with patchy brain damage, weak hips, deformed legs and feet and problems with her fine motor skills, mobility and balance.
Despite being told not to take part in sport at school, Hannah refused to be deterred and found her true calling when she began wheelchair racing in 2007. Fast forward to today and the multiple-times gold medallist is regarded as one of the greatest Paralympians of her generation and has dominated wheelchair racing since she burst onto the scene in world record breaking form in the Olympic Stadium at London 2012.
Hannah said: "disability sport doesn’t always get the coverage it deserves so it’s great to be able to promote the many reasons why it’s so much fun and fantastic to be a part of.
Learn more about Hannah Cockroft
Halle Johnson-Rose
Halle faced a challenging start to life after nerves in her neck were damaged at birth. The damage caused Erb’s palsy, a condition limiting movement in Halle’s right arm and hand.
Sport has played an important role in Halle’s rehabilitation. She’s a keen horse rider and swimmer and competed in our Superhero Series Triathlon event. Her favourite sport, however, is karate.
Halle said: “I am focused and determined to improve the movement in my arm as much as I can and sport has already helped so much. Keeping fit and active has made a massive difference to my life and shown me that there is no limit to what I can achieve.”
More on Halle Johnson-Rose's story
Issy Bailey
Issy was a student at Exeter University, preparing to represent her country at hockey when she was injured in a road traffic accident leaving her with a serious spinal injury.
As part of her rehabilitation Issy found wheelchair rugby and it gave her the same buzz she felt on the hockey pitch. She also tried shooting and was so successful that she represented Great Britain at the Rio Paralympics in 2016. Her new target is competing in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Issy said: “It is incredible to think about the past few years and everything I’ve been through. Sport has given me a chance to look beyond my injuries and achieve things I never thought would be possible.”
Find out more about our award-winning Don’t Quit, Do It campaign
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