I was really nervous about going back to school.  I didn't know how people would react and I wasn't sure I wanted to go back to the same school where everyone had known me before.  But a friend told me that I wasn't allowed to leave, and it was probably the best thing that I did.  My friends all stood by me and it was great to be back with them - except when they were telling me to get out my chair so that they could have a go!

The teachers were a bit wary at the start, I think they weren't sure how I was going to react to things.  They were overly protective, so they'd be shouting, 'No, no!' across the room if I did a backwheel balance.  And it also meant they let me get away with murder.  That was quite nice at times, but really I just wanted to be treated like anyone else; I don't get away with much now.  I was lucky that it is a new school so there haven't been any issues with getting around the building.

I missed so much school when I was in hospital that it was hard to catch up.  I'm doing Highers in Maths, English and Biology - it's my last year at school, and then I'll take a year out and go to Australia or something like that and come back to University.  And, of course, I'll continue racing.

And then it's Rio.

Before the accident I did lots of sports, but nothing really competitive.  I went to the Spinal Games at Stoke Mandeville and it was really good, getting to try all the different sports.  It was wheelchair racing that I really took to, though.  I've only been doing it for about seven months, but I already hold a couple of Scottish records.  I really enjoy travelling around Britain for the competitions and meeting new people.  One of my friends has the biggest crush on David Weir so she was really excited when I met him!  Most people are really happy to chat to you, but sometimes they don't take it so well when I beat them and they hear how long I'v been doing this for!

Samantha in her racing wheelchair in front of a hedge

I train before and after school, and on Sundays too.  I get Saturdays off - unless I'm competing.  It's not too hard to fit it all in, the worst thing is going out on the roads when it's still dark.  But I'm not an inside person anyway, I don't like being stuck indoors and I've always been up early to help dad on the farm.  He comes with me on his bike in the evenings too.

It's the Commonwealths in Glasgow in 2014 and I've got a qualifying time for that already.  I'll have to do it again when the qualification process opens, but it'll be exciting to compete in our home Games.  And then it's Rio.  I'm not going to stop until I get that gold medal.

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