Transcript:
"When I was at school, I actually wanted to be a PE teacher, but I was wrongly told by one of my doctors that I wouldn’t be able to do that because of my lower limb disability.
Because of that, I decided that I wanted to do Biomedical Science at Edinburgh Napier and honestly, it’s the best decision that I’ve ever made."
When did you first get involved with wheelchair basketball?
Transcript:
"Growing up, I always wanted to play basketball but where I was from, in my town Ayr, there’s not really any basketball teams, so as soon as I got to Edinburgh Napier, the first thing I wanted to do was go to that Freshers Fair and sign up for the women’s basketball team. Honestly, it’s the best decision I have ever made.
Being part of that club transformed my university experience – to be honest it made my university experience.
Without them… one my teammates was actually the one who pointed wheelchair basketball out to me on the telly during London 2012 Paralympics. It was one of my teammates who went with me to my first session, at my first GB major tournament down in Worcester. I found wheelchair basketball through the running basketball team at Edinburgh Napier.
It’s been a crazy journey but an incredible one."
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Transcript:
"The highlight of my career is definitely winning the World Championships silver medal in 2018.
We had just come off of seven straight losses, we were really building our team from our fourth placed finished in Rio, so reaching our first final and coming away with the silver medal was, for me, just fantastic. I’m so proud of the team and what we achieved."
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face in your career?
Transcript:
"One of the biggest challenges was actually at the start of my career.
The wheelchair basketball programme was based down in Worcester, which is exactly an eight-and-a-half-hour drive from Edinburgh – I know because I made that drive 20+ times! It was pretty tough. I decided to move down there in 2015, just before I finished my job as VP Sports and Societies for the Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association.
I went down there with no job lined up, no funding, but fortunately for me I had a lot of support from Scottish Disability Sport, from the University and Basketball Scotland who supported that journey. Fortunately, I was selected for the 2015 European Championships which meant that, thank goodness, I got put on some funding!"
What advice would you give to someone about to start studying at ENU?
Transcript:
"My advice to anyone who is going to study or who is even currently studying at ENU, would be to get involved with the Students’ Association.
Whether you want to volunteer, be a Rep, get involved with sports and societies like I did… honestly, it can change your university journey. For me, mine wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t joined the basketball team, if I hadn’t joined the various societies that I did. It can impact your life way beyond your area of study… so do it! Get involved with the Students’ Association."