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To celebrate and coincide with the Paralympic Games, Bailiwick Express has been sharing the inspiring stories of local athletes who take part in accessible sport.
The Paralympic Games, which came to a close yesterday, 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 were from the Channel Islands, there are plenty of inspiring athletes in Jersey...
Alex Rioda was one of the first people to sign up for ocean therapy charity Healing Waves.
Suffering from multiple sclerosis, the mum-of-three said not being able to go in the water after her diagnosis was "devastating".
"I was always in the water with my kids when they were young and I couldn’t do it anymore and that was quite devastating in lots of ways," she recalled.
But, after coming across Healing Waves by chance, Mrs Rioda said that she's been "given some freedom back".
“It’s given me some freedom back in such that something I lost, I’ve found and that’s huge as a disabled person," she said.
"When you’re out there, it’s just you and the board so which is an amazing thing to feel again, and something I thought I never would.”
Thanks to the adaptive boards at Healing Waves, Alex uses a long body board which has two handles she uses to hold on.
The charity also offer specially made wetsuits with extra zips on the sleeves and legs, so that people can get into them more easily.
Reflecting on the by-chance nature that she discovered Healing Waves, which now caters for more than 500 islanders from their Le Braye centre, Mrs Rioda would like facilities on offer to disabled people to be made more obvious.
“There are loads of things in Jersey, like Cycle Without Limits, but you have to actively look for them. There’s no one saying where to go or no central place for you to ask, ‘Where can I do this?’, which is what I’d love to have.”
“My neurologists hadn’t even heard of Healing Waves. So it’s phenomenal that people in Health aren’t actively encouraging people with disabilities. I’ve only had great experiences with my healthcare but there’s a disconnect with your disability and what people are willing to tell you about it.”
As well as exposure, Mrs Rioda also recognised that access to funding is another challenge for disbabled people who want to get out there and try new things.
“Everybody’s outlook on how they deal with [their disability] is so different but for your mental health getting outside is the best thing,” she said.
"I’ve got a really cool off-road wheelchair that I can take my dogs out walking. But not everyone can afford that, so my concern is that there are many others who would like to be outside but haven’t got the funds to help them get there.”
Asked whether there was anything else she thought could enhance the experience of disabled athletes in Jersey, Alex said that the slip at Le Braye could be adapted further to accommodate those with a disability as it is "quite painful" for wheelchair users.
“I know Healing Waves have asked if they can tarmac a tiny bit of the slip for wheelchair users and the answer has always been 'no',” she explained.
“It’s quite painful, especially if you have a painful illness, and it's bone-shaking by the time you get to the bottom.”
Noting that Guernsey had put measures in place on one of their slips, Mrs Rioda said that Jersey's resistance is "a frustration for everyone involved”.
Reflecting on ParalympicsGB's performance in Paris, Mrs Rioda described the team's work as "phenomenal".
Alex herself had the opportunity to be competitive last year, when Healing Waves hosted the first adaptive surf competition to ever take place in the Channel Islands.
Getting ready for the competition was a challenge, requiring weekly training, which paid off – Alex came fourth.
However, she said she was simply "grateful to take part".
"It was so much fun... It was a proper competition, really buzzy down there.
"It's nice to be included and think nothing will stop you."
Healing Waves relies on donations to support people like Alex in accessing the sea again.
To donate to their important work, click HERE.
"No hands, no limits"... Meet Adam
"They told me I wasn't disabled enough"... Meet Rachel
"They understand what my condition means"... Meet Ollie
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