Be Inspired
For our members, sport means so much. They come together, push themselves to their our own personal limits and support each other to tackle challenges and celebrate personal records.
Here are just some of their stories:
Alfie Penfold
Alfie started swimming aged 7, but that by no means has meant it's been an easy journey for Alfie and his family. They found it difficult to find inclusive clubs and to get Alfie the amount of training he needed to really progress, but after finding the right support Alfie has absolutely flourished in his sporting career so far...
Julie Martin
Julie rediscovered her passion for exercise during lockdown, thanks to BBS online workouts. Through this, she met Inclusive Fitness Training and started her fitness journey. Julie credits her journey to the efforts and support of BBS and Inclusive Fitness Training, and encourages anyone thinking about it to take that first step and get active!
This is our first video story, so follow the link below and learn more about Julie's story.
Isobelle Hardy
My sight had never been that good; I had delayed visual development as a child and I never developed 3D vision, so I wasn’t good at sport at school. I first started to lose my sight about 3 years ago. Hearing this news at 17 years of age was devastating. I was about to step into adulthood, but my world and plans were crashing around me. My life changed in an instant.
Caitlin Leigh
Caitlin, 16, has been doing Judo since she was 5 years old. She immediately fell in love with the sport as it was something she found she could get stuck into and feel as an equal to her peers, despite being registered blind and sometimes finding it hard to be included. Caitlin is now taking it upon herself to inspire everyone she knows and meets to take up new activities and give sport a go, no matter what!
Emilio Saavadra
Emilio, 11, found his love for tennis at a British Blind Sport “Have a Go Day” in Cambridge – before that, he stayed away from sport as he didn’t find anything accessible or inclusive. This Have a Go Day was the start of a wonderful journey for Emilio.
Dave Williams
Dave is a father, IT technician and self-proclaimed lover of the pork scratching who has never been the most active of men. Flash forward a year or so later and Dave has just completed the New York marathon with his wonderful guide runner Bex and he isn't stopping there!
Laura Turner
I have Congenital Coloboma, Microphthalmia, Nystagmus and a small amount of cataract that effect both eyes. I was introduced to BBS and athletics and was selected to represent the GB at the IBSA Youth Games. Sport means so much to me. It's made me part of who I am today; strong, confident and determined.
Jessica Dries
At the age of seven I developed a genetic eye condition called Macular Dystrophy for which there is no cure or correction. I am unable to lead a normal life… but I can ride horses!
Rashid Khan
Being Visually Impaired (VI) can make everyday tasks challenging, but my passion for keeping fit and healthy enables me to tackle many of those challenges head on. My love of sport inspired me to complete a Level 2 Fitness Instruction and Self Development course.
Carmel Bassett
I was born with my eye condition. I have mystagmus, photophobia, border line glaucoma and albinism. I went along to a BBS Archery coaching weekend and I was hooked! I qualified to go to the World Para Archery Champs in 2015. Here I amazed myself and got a bronze medal in the VI Category.
Tobias Pilkington
Tobias' mother tells us about his success at the BBS National Youth Swimming Gala, competing against children his own age and a new found love of sport.