Sophie had just graduated university when she sustained her injury. She fell from a roof terrace and was instantly paralysed by a T4 injury. She stayed at Kings College for two months and was transferred to Stoke Mandeville where she was an in-patient for three months.

"I didn’t realise that sport would even be a possibility for me after the accident, so I took full advantage of every opportunity that I could."

Sophie said: “I didn’t realise that sport would even be a possibility for me after the accident, so I took full advantage of every opportunity that I could. I went on a ski trip with Back Up and it was amazing. Exercise had always been a big part of my life, so being able to be active again makes such a huge difference to me and my overall well-being.”

Sophie wanted to pursue her renewed passion for skiing so she applied to Aspire for help to buy mono sit ski, a piece of equipment that would enable her to go skiing. In 2014, her application was granted, and Sophie completed a Your Fund application so that friends and family could also make donations online to help meet her equipment and training costs.

Since receiving her mono sit-ski, Sophie has spent time training in Colorado and is now training with the British ParaSnowsports Team. She is currently ranked 26th and 28th in the world in Women’s Giant Slalom Sitting and Slalom Sitting. Sophie has ambitions to compete in the winter Paralympic games in 2018 and 2022.

“Aspire has made it possible for me to get this far with my skiing, and it’s changed my life. They provide useful and functional support which really makes a difference. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Follow Sophie’s journey to the Paralympics on her blog

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