Grassroots Games 2016: Canoe Sprint
The Paralympics is under way in Brazil, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is focusing on the sports that you will see, hear or read about over the next two weeks.
With 22 different disciplines on show in Rio 2016, EFDS takes a look at grassroots participation back here in Britain.
Today it’s Canoe Sprint, with Leigh-Ann Clark telling us about battling through the pain to find a new lease of life.
I started canoeing about eight months ago.
It took time to build my confidence, and I first started to go out on the river about two weeks ago. It took quite a bit to persuade me to have a go as I was very nervous and didn't believe I could do it with my disability. But I am very glad that I tried it.
I enjoy the fact that I don't use my legs and that it is so freeing.
My daily living pain is around 70 per cent, which means I am on a lot of painkillers. It also means I struggle to walk any sort of distance and there are times when the pain is so high I am in a manual wheelchair.
When I canoe the feeling is freeing.
I don't have to think about my legs at all. I can release my stress and worries. Using a wheelchair has given me the strength in my arms to allow me to do the sport.
After a tough session it takes a little bit of time to recover but it is a good feeling.
I've spent the last few years believing that I couldn't do any sport again as everywhere I went people didn't know how to help me.
I would encourage anyone to try canoeing - it gives me such an empowering feeling.
Just how doing something like this canoeing changed my outlook on life. I've become more outgoing and much more relaxed. I'm enjoying doing things again.
