I woke up in January 2020 with no sensation in right and left leg - January 2020 – it was really scary. I started to get some sensation in left leg but nothing in the right, but as a result of all of this, this has led to me being in a wheelchair. I was 9 when this happened – I’ve turned 14 now.

Before that I had complex regional pain syndrome. This gives you pain which isn't really there. I’ve gone through times of being in wheelchair and sometimes in crutches, but in recent years I’ve remained in a wheelchair. It’s taken a lot of getting used to. I’d refuse to believe I was in a wheelchair and want to do what a normal child would to anyway. For example, it’s difficult crossing a road and finding where both paths are flat, and I’ve had to learn how to wheelback onto the pavement and avoid rocks on the pavement. These are things that you don’t think about when you don’t have a disability.

A lot of the teachers that I have always make sure they include me by adapting the lesson. For example, I can always do basketball and netball. The teachers have realised I can do it, but I just need a bit more time. I can still do the bleep test – the teacher decreased the distance, so I had more time to turn the chair. Or in trampolining - I can't do this, but I can do yoga or gymnastics with my friends on the side, but I’m always spoken to and asked how I feel.

The PE group also help to adapt the games to help me feel included. PE is my favourite part of school. I particularly like basketball afterschool club and in the holidays, I attend the camp to play. I did really like the Sheffield Steelers Basketball club but struggle with transport as mum doesn't drive rather than in school, they’ve changed the minibus so I can go travel with my friends to all events and residentials. Mums always encouraged me to go to the park and use the basketball court there - we go almost every other day. School sport is really important to me as it’s not always accessible outside of school time. I definitely think my career will be PE related as I've always loved sports, and I intend on doing something with this in the future.

There was definitely a change in inclusive practice since primary to secondary, in primary I was often on the sidelines, made to do extra work and not included at all, it was lonely, but it’s different here. This school accept me for who I am. I love sport and playing with my friends as a team. I feel like inclusion is important because most kids that are able to do things get the opportunity without thinking about it but if you're on a wheelchair, need crutches, struggle with sight, you're at a disadvantage as people assume you don't want to participate. They aren't asked and therefore they don't get those opportunities. I would tell other young people to keep trying as there is definitely another way around it - it just needs adapting. Always keep going cause no matter what you’ll find what you’re good at there’s always something for you, consider your disability as a superpower as it gives you an advantage that others don’t have.

Somewhere there is the sport for you. I’d encourage teachers to be more inclusive for everyone as not everyone learns the same.