#ThisSalfordGirlCan guest blog - Hannah Russell, Rio 2016 Paralympian

Monday 16-11-2015 - 12:50

I am making an assumption that most people reading this will have good eyesight and it may be difficult to imagine diving into the swimming pool and not being able to see the other end of the pool. I can see clearly up to one meter and then everything becomes a blur and a mass of smudged color. It’s hard to believe, but the pool provides a safe haven; I don’t know what I would do without it: I absolutely love swimming!

My competitive swims are therefore more like time-trials than races, I count my strokes to judge the distances and I am unable to see my opponents due to a lack of peripheral vision. “It’s quite good not being able to see anyone else because it means I just concentrate on my own swim” When I’ve finished I have no idea how I’ve done, I can’t see the scoreboard or my fellow competitors, so I always look clueless at the end of the race. I have to rely on others telling me the result!”

I began swimming at the age of 5 at Woking swimming club. At 14, I was scouted through the ‘Playground to Podium’ initiative and after being classified as an S12 in 2011 (Visually impaired classification), entered the IPC European Championships in Berlin where I won silver in the 100m backstroke, at 15 I was selected for the GB Paralympic Swimming team to compete in London 2012, I won one silver medal and two bronze medals. Last year I started training at the High Performance Centre in Manchester and began studying for a Sports Science degree here at Salford. Combining my training and studies has been a huge challenge but with plenty of help and support from lecturers and the disability team, it’s been a success and I passed my first year exams along with becoming World champion this summer in Glasgow. Although there are numerous support services available to provide help, you still have to ask and this is something that I have had to get better doing. If you request assistance it is rarely refused and I think more people should be more comfortable in asking for help, trust me, it makes a difference. Outside of the standard resources required for someone with limited vision the most important thing for me has been the support of a small group of University mates whom I can rely on. Having someone with me to go into the food hall helps, as I cannot really see the food, the drinks counter or places for me to sit down. My worry is I will bump into things, get lost and not know where my friends are, so it really is the small things that matter. What I have found important socially for me is that people don’t think I am ignoring them if I walk by – I can not see faces unless I am really close and do not know who people are unless I can recognize their voice. My good mates know all they need to do is call my name.

If you fail to plan you are planning to fail

Simple things done well is a great philosophy to adopt and will provide you with a great foundation to follow your dream, you may set out with a goal that seems unachievable but small steps will help you on your pathway to success and setting this out in some sort of plan is paramount to achievement. Smaller targets are great for daily/weekly motivation and give you greater confidence in your ability. I dream to win gold at the Rio Olympics, but my targets are all about this week’s objectives, whether that be eating healthier, maintaining my form in the pool or achieving a personal best in the gym- If I am successful each day and each week the big performances in Rio will look after themselves.

I have transitioned this approach from my sport across to my studies as I was very worried that my studies would suffer with my commitment to circa 30 hours of training each week. It has not been easy, but planning ahead and being disciplined to follow that plan has really helped me.

Barriers in Sport

As a young girl I was immersed into sport, as both my parents are involved in sport. Our family supports the ideal that physical activity is a great platform for the holistic development of a young person. Development of new skills, working in teams socially, competitive drive, personal well-being, having fun and improving resilience, being key factors. I have never experienced barriers being a female, whether it is at grass roots or through my elite pathway. The only barrier I can say I have experienced is teachers/coaches not fully understanding my impairment or not sure how to adapt their coaching in order to get the best outcome. At times this is trial and error. When I was opting for my GCSEs, I wanted to take GCSE PE, I was starting to become successful in swimming, the staff queried my ability in other sports, but when I convinced them that I could achieve in Cross Country, D of E – outdoor pursuits, swimming and fitness – I was accepted. I live by my motto –‘ It’s ability, not disability that matters’ – I achieved my A* in this subject. I think it is really important that coaches/ teachers involved in coaching athletes embrace the needs of the individual and try to create a bespoke program for each person.

Women in sport

I believe that role models in women's sport are crucial. We often do not know what we can achieve until someone shows us why, how and what can be done. We all have dreams and usually these have been inspired by people who we would like to be. Everything in our world is always changing and elite female athletes are at the pinnacle of driving change and breaking down barriers every day. I am lucky enough to be breaking down my own barriers and its exciting, hard work, rewarding, but I love it. The fight for gender equality in life is a constant challenge and sport has the opportunity to help with that as well as try and gain level terms in funding, sponsorship and profile. As a young athlete I am delighted to be able to help grow the profile of female sport and if I achieve success and recognition, my commitment is to continue to help raise that profile and everything associated with how hard we work.

Who inspires me? 

I have always looked up to Ellie Simmonds and Rebecca Adlington. The commitment and determination they have both shown is a shining example of what can be achieved. They are not stereotype athletes and have had to endure a variety of issues as well as dedicating themselves to grueling training regimes. I currently share a house with Ellie and although it’s a bit surreal living with one of your heroes it's the everyday things, which set these people apart. If they can do it, so can you and I can confirm it’s the small disciplines that matter, step by step. This may sound strange but I also draw inspiration and learn so much from the people I am with day to day. Teammates, friends and family have so much to offer and this is what influences me and makes me who I am. Take some time to consider these people and what they mean to you, I guarantee you will identify uplifting traits that has been taken for granted, we all have values that inspire people. I recently reflected on who I swim / compete for and although I love the challenges of training and racing, I work so hard for all the people that care for me and if I can make them proud of me then I draw great satisfaction and comfort from that

If I could give some advice to females involved in sport, what would it be...?!

I would say not to be afraid of how you are judged regarding your appearance or ability.  Pursue the sports and activities that you enjoy, whether it’s just for fun, keeping fit, meeting others, or an elite pathway. It is important to try new things and experiment; you will be amazed at the support you will get. Being scared or worried is a natural thing, take that anxiety and turn it into the determination to face a new challenge. Young women have recently been inspired by the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign where women and girls are encouraged to actively take part in physical activity or sport, no matter their shape, size or ability. This is a great campaign which encourages women to beat their barriers. I am a visually impaired woman, who fully embraces the ‘I can’ philosophy. If I can, so can you!!! 

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Activities, Events, Sport

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hannah russell, Paralympic, sport, swimmer, this salford girl can,

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