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Being handed the iconic Paralympic torch was a surreal experience.<\/p>\n
Pride surged through me as I set off in my wheelchair, clasping it tightly.
Surrounded by people cheering, I felt the excitement, hope and inspiration radiating from everyone.<\/p>\n
Back in 2012, aged 17, I was a Paralympic torchbearer. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life.<\/p>\n
It was also the first moment I truly realised that I could say I was disabled and feel no sadness.<\/p>\n
I was born with cerebral palsy, and I got my first wheelchair at the age of six. It\u2019s a kind of comfort to me that it\u2019s all I\u2019ve ever known.<\/p>\n
But when I was younger, I struggled with people staring and asking intrusive questions, like what was \u2018wrong\u2019 with me or if I could have children one day.<\/p>\n
I became used to saying sorry to strangers if I thought I was in the way, then questioning myself over whether I was apologising because I felt ashamed or embarrassed.<\/p>\n
It felt like all I could see at this time was what I couldn\u2019t do \u2013\u00a0all because I am a full time wheelchair user.<\/p>\n
This started to change when I became involved in wheelchair sports around the age of 10 through a charity called Go Kids Go. It helps young people in wheelchairs become more independent.<\/p>\n
Through that, I got introduced to sports like wheelchair basketball and rugby, which showed me that I could channel the negative feelings I had about my disability into something positive.<\/p>\n
That I could relate to other people who had similar experiences, rather than punish and isolate myself for them.<\/p>\n
Sure, I had the love of my family, but until I found wheelchair sports, I didn\u2019t have anyone in my life that had first-hand lived experience of being disabled. So the ability to meet people with similar experiences meant I didn\u2019t feel so isolated.<\/p>\n
Through them I learned that \u2018different\u2019 isn\u2019t bad, \u2018different\u2019 is joyful.<\/p>\n
When most kids learned how to ride bikes, I met other children in wheelchairs and we practised popping wheelies together. It felt amazing to be around people who were so similar to me.<\/p>\n
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It was the first time I remember feeling like I was understood. That I belonged.
When I was 15, I became a volunteer for Go Kids Go \u2013 I still volunteer for them today. Through this, I was nominated by them to be a torchbearer.<\/p>\n
It was a pivotal moment for me when I started to reshape how I saw my life in a wheelchair.<\/p>\n
Swapped resentment for appreciation.<\/p>\n
Of course, I do still have tough days, and I\u2019m learning \u2013 even into my late twenties \u2013 that my journey to acceptance isn\u2019t linear. Sometimes I\u2019m highly aware of what I can\u2019t do, like being on the sand at the beach, or having to plan extensively around places that have an accessible toilet.<\/p>\n
Still, when I\u2019m feeling down, I make sure to remind myself of all of the things that I can do in my wheelchair. Travel, make friends, spend time with old ones \u2013 live a happy life. If it weren\u2019t for my wheelchair, I couldn\u2019t have attended family events, like weddings, for example.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s incredibly powerful when you realise that the tool you once thought was limiting could be used in such an empowering way.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m also lucky to be in a relationship with someone who fully accepts me. We met online when I was 27 and he is with me through the hard times and the good. I know I can fully be myself and that I would never be judged, just loved unconditionally.<\/p>\n
Platform is the home of Metro.co.uk’s first-person and opinion pieces, devoted to giving a platform to underheard and underrepresented voices in the media. <\/strong><\/p>\n Find some of our best reads of the week below:<\/p>\n Linda Aitchison was terrified when her doctor suspected cancer following some worrying symptoms. The writer was filled with relief when it transpired to be her long-forgotten 15-year-old coil. <\/p>\n Metro.co.uk’s Alicia Adejobi slammed Kanye West and shared how she felt humiliation and sadness for his ‘wife’ Bianca Censori after seeing her outfits in Italy. <\/p>\n An anonymous writer explains how, after never having the best relationship with his father, he gave his dad a second chance by allowing him to be an active grandparent. Something his father has taken for granted. <\/p>\n And Shane Harding retells the story of how she met her soulmate Mert on holiday in Turkey. Mert travelled 300 miles and spent \u00a3400 on a taxi just to make their first date. <\/p>\n One thing that really changed my perspective on my disability was focusing on gratitude and joy. I always knew that I wanted to help people, and if my experience could help someone in a similar situation feel more confident and happy, that was enough for me.<\/p>\n Through my volunteer work, it\u2019s always such a magical thing to see a disabled child grow in confidence and come to realise that their chairs are tools to be utilised.<\/p>\n That being said, I don\u2019t consider my life to be tragic or inspirational. I\u2019m not embarrassed or ashamed of my disability anymore, nor do I feel it makes me exceptional or anyone to be looked up to.<\/p>\n I want people to know that my wheelchair is not my enemy. It\u2019s my sense of freedom to appreciate and to be a part of the world.<\/p>\n Yes, I\u2019m used to people staring, but one thing I know is that my life is not to be pitied. Sure, it can be hard at times, but this life has more joy than I ever thought possible.<\/p>\n While my wheelchair may look limiting to others, it\u2019s a tool that boosts my confidence, joy and independence.<\/p>\n It\u2019s something that, today, I wish to give thanks for, rather than resent.<\/p>\n