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Olivia Gallagher

Olivia overcame serious health challenges and beat the bullies to become a record-breaking wheelchair racer.

Born prematurely at just 24 weeks and weighing 1lb 11oz, Olivia was the only one of triplets to survive.

Struggling to breathe and suffering a bleed to her brain, she spent nearly six months in a special baby care unit and needed oxygen at home for a year.

When she was a year old, she was diagnosed with athetoid cerebral palsy in all four limbs, and registered severely sight impaired and profoundly deaf.

Growing up, she was bullied at school and became increasingly unhappy. In 2014, her dad suggested that they go along to a taster session at the Weir Archer Academy, set up by Paralympic legend David Weir and his coach Jenny Archer.

Inspired, she started wheelchair racing and has never looked back. In 2015, she classified as a T33 wheelchair racer. After breaking age records, this year she represented England in the CPRISA World Games in Barcelona, where she won one silver and one bronze medal.

Olivia, who attends a mainstream school and is an ambassador for CP Teens and RNIB, says: “At times I have found life very challenging as I have had to face lots of hurdles. Before I took part in sport I was not the person I am today.

“When I first started at the academy I was finding it very hard to make friends at school. I didn’t want to do much with my life and had very little confidence to talk about my disabilities.

“This sport has given me the opportunity to make friends who understand what I have been through. I love the fact it’s a great support network, not just for me but for my parents too.”

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