When Praise Met Hannah Cockroft

Praise Okelade is determined not to let her disability hold her back from participating in sport.

Following a road traffic collision in 2021, Praise suffered a C6 spinal cord injury and is now a permanent wheelchair user. Before the accident, Praise participated in various sports, growing up with a passion for netball.

Praise recently won our competition to spend a day on the track with Paralympic wheelchair racing champion Hannah Cockroft.

Hannah introduced Praise to wheelchair racing under her expert guidance and Praise was soon doing laps of an Olympic track, wearing British Athletics apparel – a glimpse into the future maybe?

The training:

After the training session, Praise had the chance to ask our ambassador Hannah how she got involved in disability sport, and what it means to her.

Watch Praise get to grips with wheelchair racing and the incredible insights Hannah offers about overcoming her disability to become a multiple gold winning Paralympic champion.

The interview:

Since the accident, Praise has been on a rehabilitation journey and her passion for sport remains strong.

She’s watched the GB rugby team train, worked with Paralympian Gavin Walker, and attended the Spinal Games. Praise also wants to join a team in Manchester and set up a wheelchair netball team.

But after the recent training session with Hannah, you may one day see her lining up on the track herself, after admitting she really likes it.

Praise was encouraged to enter our competition by the rehabilitation provider, STEPS. They offer support and care to people recovering from brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, and complex trauma injuries. Their aim is to help their clients reach their full potential and rebuild their lives.

Our serious injury expert Richard Biggs spoke about the importance of disability sport for people who are either born with a disability or become disabled following a life-changing event:

“At Irwin Mitchell, we’re passionate about helping our clients achieve their full potential following a serious injury. We’ve seen many of our clients over the years return to participating in sport, which can be a significant step forward in their ongoing rehabilitation, as well as having a positive impact on both their mental and physical wellbeing. This makes us incredibly proud.”

Thank you to Praise for entering our competition, and to STEPS Rehabilitation for encouraging her entry.

Our final thanks go to our ambassador Hannah for welcoming Praise to the track and offering her such an inspirational opportunity.

If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury and need advice on where to turn, our colleagues are here to help. We can also introduce you to charities and organisations who can support you. Find out more.