The point of this article is to show young and old that just because you can’t physically take part in sport it doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of sport. It’s also to encourage people who aren’t sure about taking a Sports Journalism degree that it’s a fulfilling and a rewarding degree. This article delves into my personal life, the trials I’ve gone up against and where I am now. I hope it inspires everyone in one way or another.

I have been a sporty person my whole life, I used to go to football clubs during school holidays and I went to afterschool badminton and athletics. When I got to secondary school I was lucky enough to get into many of the teams. I was in the netball team, the hockey team, the rounders team and the athletics team. However, lady luck was not on my side and in one year alone I went from being on crutches for six months, hardly able to walk, to being in a car accident which left me with whiplash injuries. It was a catastrophic year as far as sport went, the teachers said it was too much of a risk to put me on any team, even after I fully recovered. I remember there being days that I just didn’t want to go to school because I was embarrassed of my crutches, or, because I knew by the end of my first lesson my neck and back would be in excruciating pain. My mum was one of the only people who kept me going, every morning she’d come in and encourage me to go. See, you have to understand that although I didn’t want to become a professional athlete, sport was a huge part of my life, and at this point it wasn’t even just the fact that I could no longer take part in sport, it was the fact that every task in my life became a challenge and a chore. It wasn’t until I reached my final year of secondary school that I was allowed to join the rowing team, after proving my past injuries wouldn’t be a problem.

It’s been 3 years since then and my luck hasn’t got much better. I’m currently tackling on going problems with my rib cage which causes problems with breathing, this has been going on for about 4 years. This doesn’t stop me from trying though and it definitely doesn’t stop me from being part of sport.

The incredible thing about my degree is that I am in on the action without physically taking part. Let me tell you, this is incredible, I get all the enjoyment and none of the pain. I have the pressures of playing but in a different way, instead of running around on a pitch my fingers are frantically running across a keyboard. Instead of feeling the pressure of G force on my neck, I have to be constantly up to date with who is in what position on track. It’s a dream degree.

I’m not saying my life is awful because it certainly isn’t. I’ve been given some incredible opportunities and I definitely wouldn’t be here, doing this today if it wasn’t for all that bad luck. My past is what made me who I am today and I’m extremely proud of who I am. I work hard because working hard is what got me through all of the pain. I take pride in things because when you go through the sort of injuries that hold you back, you become proud of the smallest and most insignificant accomplishments.

I will leave you with the words I have come to live by,

“Redefine expectations. Don’t let the past dictate your future.”