A retired athlete who became paraplegic just three months ago is taking part in an annual wheelchair-sport games event.
Henrietta Paxton, 40, will take part in the week-long WheelPower Inter Spinal Unit Games in September, following an accident in May.
The accident left her with a broken back and paralysed from the waist down. This means she will spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
She said: “It was a massive shock; I’m still coming to terms with things and there’s a lot to adjust to.”
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Henrietta won a gold medal for Wiltshire at 15 years old for long jump at the National Schools Competition, before becoming an elite funded athlete specialising in pole vault and competing at two Commonwealth Games.
She now resides at Salisbury Spinal Unit for rehabilitation, and while works are completed on her home to make it accessible. Before the accident, she worked as a PE teacher at Bishop Wordsworth’s School – a role she will be able to return to when she is home.
The costs of rehabilitation and adapting her home are high. Her best friend, Eleanor, has set up a donation page to aid these. To donate towards the costs, you can click here.
The WheelPower event will run from September 23 - 26, welcoming over 100 patients from spinal injury centres across the UK. The week offers coaching and demonstrations of over 20 wheelchair supports, including rugby, fencing, swimming and tennis, at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.
Henrietta said: “It’s an event that’s held every year for people with similar injuries.
“It’s a big get together where everyone can try different sports, it’s sort of competitive but it’s more about the participation and getting people active.
“It’ll be a life changing experience and having that opportunity to meet others in the same boat and those continuing to lead an active life.”
Henrietta's mum, Rowena Paxton, said: "She has maintained her strength and fitness and an amazingly positive outlook, and is focused on getting back to her home and workplace as soon as possible."
The mother of two added that she is most looking forward to wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and trying track and field events – returning to her speciality before retiring as an athlete.
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