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To celebrate and coincide with the Paralympic Games, Bailiwick Express is sharing the inspiring stories of local athletes who take part in accessible sport.
Taking place until 8 September, the Paralympic Games is an iconic and important sporting occasion that highlights and champions athletes from around the world.
Although none of the 215 athletes representing Great Britain at the 2024 Paralympics are from the Channel Islands, there are plenty of inspiring athletes in Jersey...
Adam Dalton was born with congenital limb deficiency (CLD) which means that his limbs aren't fully developed.
Prior to taking up golf, the 19-year-old struggled in social situations.
"Before golf, I was quite anti-social," he said. "I’d never really talked to anyone in public.
"But ever since I got into golf, it’s such a naturally social sport, it gave me confidence to talk to complete strangers.”
Pictured: 19-year-old Adam first picked up a golf club about ten years ago.
Having always been an active child, Adam tried every sport he could, including playing archery with his feet.
But he fell in love with golf when he hit his first ball on a driving range.
He explained: "We went to the driving range, and we weren’t sure how I was going to do it, but straightaway I tucked the club under my armpit and I was loving it from the first ball I hit.”
In his first year competing, Adam placed 45th in the world disabled golfing rankings.
Living by the motto 'no hands, no limits', Adam strives to show that having a disability shouldn't impact living you life – something which he also demonstrated by passing his driving test last year.
Adam's mum Juliette explained how their family had been transformed by her son's golfing.
She said: “Adam struggled with feeling that he was achieving anything at all. He’s got a trophy cabinet now!
“Playing in the disabled event overseas, we are part of a golfing family that all have similar difficulties as us. It has opened our world up.
"A lot of the golfers travel with their support too, their wives or partners, so for me to chat with people in the same boat, it’s a massive support system.”
Having come second in the European Disabled Golf Assocation's English Open, his best result yet, it is clear there is a bright future for the Jersey golfer.
Adam was also the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled's Sports Personality of the Year in 2023.
But Adam and his mum would both like to see more people with disabilities get into golf in Jersey.
"We don't know of any other disabled person in Jersey who plays golf," said Juliette. "We don't know if anyone even wants to try it."
Pictured: "I’d love to be up there doing my thing for my country in front of so many people.”
It's also not easy funding Adam's sporting career, which costs around £1,500 per event.
Juliette said: "There is nothing in Jersey for Adam in terms of competition [in Jersey] so we have to go overseas.
"It’s about £1,500 per event with the travel and accommodation and everything that comes with that.
"Plus, a lot of athletes with disabilities need extra support.
"I think their needs to be more funding for them because sometimes it’s two sets of flights and two hotel rooms.”
Pictured: Adam on the Jersey Legends Tour in 2023.
However, Adam is looking towards his next contest in Rouen, and dreams of one day being in a Paralympic squad.
"I’d love to be up there doing my thing for my country in front of so many people,” he said.
And with the EDGA putting pressure on Paralympic organisers to get golf recognised as an event, maybe there isn't too long to wait.
Adam and Juliette are currently searching for sponsors to support him in future overseas competitions.
If you are interested, contact Juliette on: jdjd1970@gmail.com.
If you have a disability and want to try golf, get in touch with Adam and Juliette on: jdjd1970@gmail.com.
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