Rebecca Sellar, footballer and wheelchair tennis player
I was born with congenital deformities which meant that I was missing a fibula – a condition called fibular hemimelia. The lower part of my right leg was shortened and the foot heavily deformed. The doctors knew I wasn't going to be able walk with the use of that leg, so they suggested the best thing would be to amputate through the ankle and fit me with a prosthetic.
It was a leap of faith and has worked out fantastic. They had said I might not be able to run very well, cycle or swim, but I was able to do all those things from a young age. Throughout my life, though, I have dealt with a lot of back and hip issues. That is something I still struggle with.
The low point came in 2015 when I was trying to do the dishes and couldn't even stand because I was shaking so badly. I wanted to find something positive to focus on that would help get me physically active.
I tried wheelchair tennis and instantly loved it because it was an opportunity to do something where I could forget about my disability. I represented Scotland for the first time in 2017 and played in the Glasgow round of the National Wheelchair Tennis Series, finishing second in the doubles novice category.
I started playing football with the Partick Thistle amputee team last May. It was something I was drawn to because it is played on crutches and without wearing a prosthesis. I liked the idea of being out of my comfort zone.
It was intimidating at first, mainly because it involves a whole new skill set. There are players who, unlike me, regularly use crutches and they were incredible from the beginning. It was a completely new ball game for me.
The knee on my prosthetic side has been troublesome this past year and I ended up relying a lot more on crutches. Playing football has helped me maintain a positive outlook throughout this ongoing health issue. It made me realise just how capable I am in every aspect of my life.
I'm the only woman who plays amputee football for Scotland. We are working hard to get more women involved. Among amputees in general, there is a greater percentage that are men, so it can be more difficult to get women amputees into sport.
I don't get treated any differently among my team-mates. I wouldn't enjoy it as much if I felt I was being wrapped up in cotton wool. As a disabled person in general you often get well-meaning people trying to shield and protect you. In sport that is the last thing you want.
Scotland's national amputee football team will travel to Italy to play an international friendly this May. Before that, there is a West vs East match between the Partick Thistle and Dundee United amputee teams in April. I'm hoping to play in both those events.
The biggest misconception is that a disability is something sad or to be pitied. People often view it as a doom and gloom topic. Para-sport is never about what you can't do; it is about what you can do.
Visit amputeefootballscotland.co.uk
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