To be inclusive think FRIENDS

  When you are an open water swimmer with a disability a common message and email you find yourself sending is this: “Dear …… I am an open water swimmer and am interested in ….(event)…however I have a disability that means I am a wheelchair user. I can walk short distances using crutches so I … Continue reading To be inclusive think FRIENDS

My first 10 Weeks of Winter Swimming

  I have learnt many things over my first few months of winter swimming and I am so glad that I decided to set myself the challenge of swimming skins through winter. I've learnt so much about how my body reacts to different temperatures and situations both physically and mentally. Ive also learnt just how far … Continue reading My first 10 Weeks of Winter Swimming

Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2

  After spending the night dreaming of talking to a room full of cabbages I woke up feeling surprisingly rested but quite sore. We got up at around 8.45am as we had to head to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, it was the first meal we had had at the hotel, and it was incredibly … Continue reading Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2

Kendal Mountain Festival Part 1

  I am not entirely sure where to begin on such an amazing weekend but I have to start somewhere so I think to begin with I will start with some thank yous: The biggest thank you goes to my absolutely amazing sister, Laura, or my big fishy. Without Laura acting as my carer/helper for … Continue reading Kendal Mountain Festival Part 1

Good Days, Bad Days and some in-between…

  I didn’t post a blog last week as I have been struggling a lot with my pain and fatigue but I am improving, a bit, and I have had the chance to get some decent swims in this week. Monday started with a tough session with BRJ in the pool and once again I … Continue reading Good Days, Bad Days and some in-between…

World Swim Day 2021 – What swimming has done for me

Saturday was World Swim Day and I wanted to write something about what swimming has done for me. Swimming has almost always been part of my life and without it I felt lost. I had about 5 years after my accident with no swimming and during that time my life changed drastically, I became disabled, … Continue reading World Swim Day 2021 – What swimming has done for me

Winter swimming is finally here!

  If you have followed my blog, then you will know that when I swam 2-way Windermere I was wearing a wetsuit. This was because I didn’t know how my body would react to the cold as most of the swimming I have done in open water since getting back into it 5 years ago … Continue reading Winter swimming is finally here!

British Long Distance Swimming Association Championships, Colwick Park

  The British Long Distance Swimming Association put on several events each year, but I have never attended one before as they’re expensive. However, I wanted to end my open water season on a high so decided to take part in the event at Colwick Park in Nottingham. For this event I would be entirely … Continue reading British Long Distance Swimming Association Championships, Colwick Park

10 Years

  This week marks the 10 year anniversary of my cycling accident that triggered all my current health issues, including my Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. After the day of that accident my life changed forever but at the time, I didn’t realise the result of the accident would be so drastic and have … Continue reading 10 Years

Windermere Part Two – Fell Foot to Ambleside

  It was time to set off back to Ambleside, just another 10.5 miles to go and I would have finally completed my 2 way Windermere swim. It had been postponed due to Covid19, I had had emergency surgery 4 weeks before and only 2 weeks before I wasn’t even sure if I would be … Continue reading Windermere Part Two – Fell Foot to Ambleside