Chat with a Paralympian - Part 1

So, I am super lucky I get to regularly spend time with an outstanding paralympian. But I also get to see her bond with young children with disabilities and show them how they can push themselves to succeed just like anyone else because they are no different to any other child!

I have asked her a few questions to share her wisdom with you all because I think she is pretty amazing, but yet again she blew me away!

Here is part one of my chat with Miss Amber Merritt!!

Who Are you and whats your story?

My names Amber Jayne Merritt, I’m 24 years old and I’m a Brit (hailing from Portsmouth) living in Australia permanently. I was born with a severe foot deformity called Club foot, which has effected development and movement within my left foot, leg, hips and back. I work as full time elite athlete, part time programs officer and on the side run my own recycled designer and vintage clothing business.

How has Club Foot affected your life positively Club foot has impacted my life positively in a massive way! Without it, I would’ve never been presented the opportunity of elite sport and also wouldn’t of been presented the opportunity to educate on disability awareness. As a child growing up if you said to me that I’d influence lives the way I have, educating and changing people’s perceptions on disability, I would’ve laughed. But now I see the positive impacts sport has had on the greater community and it warms my heart. I’ve also been able to meet amazing people and create long lasting friendships because of Clubfoot.

How has Club foot affected your life negatively

The pain…. Oh the pain! I hate to whinge about it, but it’s a reality I face regularly. Unfortunately my tendons are prone to tearing due to all the surgeries and the impact that has had on them, so time running around is limited. I’m pretty good at monitoring it though, it’s a perk of having a condition, the ability to understand your body and be in tune with every part of it’s going on. Another negative thing (but also positive) is that I live with a very invisible disability. Which means I pass as an able bodied person in the community, and until people hear my story, I’m very prone to judgement. For some the coming out process and describing it to people is hard, but it’s so common for me now that it doesn’t phase me. Though I really shouldn’t need to explain myself if I’m in pain and need to take a seat on a train over someone else etc…

Do you feel you are treated the same or different to say someone like myself by society I’m pretty lucky in that I get to see 2 sides of the fence. Living with an invisible disability opens me up to judgement and exclusivity from certain aspects of society, but it also means I get treated the same as every other able bodied person. In an ideal world regardless of what I live with, if it’s visible or not, judgement wouldn’t be passed but that’s all part of the future progression and changing societal views on stereotypes.

You are a successful Paralympian… how does that make you feel?

Proud. I think it’s pretty explanatory as to why but nothing beats wearing the Green & Gold, The Australian crest and your family name on the back of a jersey, at a competition that is considered the pinnacle of elite sport. Being there at 19, back in front of family in my home country was enough… to win a silver medal without expectation was exceeding my dreams then. Now I’m hungry for more and driven to go that one step further and win gold.