SHELLEY, 16, MAY NEVER WALK AGAIN - BUT SHE'S STILL GOING FOR GOLD

I'm a wheel champion SHELLEY, 16, MAY NEVER WALK AGAIN ? BUT SHE'S STILL GOING FOR GOLD

1       Sport has always been an important part of my   life. I was a member of my junior school   athletics team and I've always loved being   outdoors. One day, in   August 1999, I was climbing a tall tree in   the park when I lost my balance and fell.   First I thought I had been lucky but when   I tried to get up, I couldn't feel anything   below the waist. Then I knew something   was seriously wrong. After tests, the   doctors told me I had broken my back   and I was unlikely to walk again. 2       Friends' visits kept me cheery but   when they left I wondered how many   would stay mates with me now I was   disabled. I'd already had to change my   choice of secondary school because the   one I'd chosen to go to had no   wheelchair access. 3       I spent five months learning how to   cope without my legs and I joined the   basketball team at the hospital.   Gradually I realised my life wasn't over   yet. I joined a new school in January   and, although I was the only person in a

wheelchair, I fitted in easily. I made new   friends who included me in everything. 4       I enjoyed basketball but it was   athletics I really wanted to do. The   British Athletics Association invited me   for a training weekend. Then I tried out a   racing chair and I've never looked back.   Racing chairs have two wheels at the back and   only one at the front, to make them   streamlined. The hardest part was the   strain on my arms through pushing the   wheels, but I'd found   something I wanted to do really well. 5       Since then, I've trained five times a week   plus once a week strength building at the   gym. It's a tough schedule but I've fitted in   school, a busy social life and a couple of   boyfriends too! Mum and Dad have been   great, driving me all over the country to   compete. And it's paid off because I've now   reached international level. In 2002   I represented Great Britain in the Junior   Wheelchair Games in the US. Wheelchair   sports are huge in America and the crowd   went crazy. 6       Last year I entered the London Mini   Marathon and I won the female race. I was   third overall and was interviewed by the BBC   - it was amazing! People I'd never met were   congratulating me. I think I know how David   Beckham must feel. My biggest thrill was   taking part in last year's Commonwealth   Games in Manchester. It was a great   experience and I have made up my mind   that I want to represent Britain in the 2008   Paralympics - so look out for me there! Sugar