It has been a great summer of sports so far, and its looks set to continue with the Paris Paralympics Games taking place between August 28 and September 8. 

Not since London 2012 has there been this level of excitement for the Paralympics, with 549 events in 22 sports.

The level of participation is enormous with a record number of female participants. Team GB will be sending over 215 athletes to Paris, with the youngest being a 13-year-old swimmer and the eldest being a 54-year-old canoeist.

Hatfield Swimming Club’s own Louise Fiddes will also give us an opportunity to cheer on a local hero as she attempts to add to her Silver and Bronze medals from the Tokyo games.

The great thing about the Paralympics is that it focuses on what people can do and the individual athletes’ amazing talent and dedication.

The sporting drama is just as nail-biting and exhilarating as the Olympics and I am sure many of us will become overnight armchair experts in Boccia, Goalball and the brutal Wheelchair Rugby.

Too often society dwell on the difficulties or limitations of a disability. However, speaking from my personal situation as a parent of a disabled child, I know we not only see the world differently but we see how rewarding every milestone can be.

As many locals in Hatfield will know, my daughter Darcie has a life limiting condition called Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome), which means she has serious disabilities.

Some professionals would say children like Darcie have a poor quality of life; I see a girl who loves life and sees everyday as a new adventure.

It is important to highlight the realities of disabilities from those experiencing them and I am so thankful that the Hatfield community has a positive attitude and approach to her and us as a family.

Helping cater for the disabled in the community is something I’m passionate about and will continue to advocate for.

Explore Hatfield

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, along with their partner BETTER, have made a number of improvements to the Hatfield Swim Centre over the last 18 months.

As well as the splash, teaching and full-size pool, the centre also benefits from a gym, health suite and a dance studio.

The centre is also home to the excellent Platypus Swimming Club which facilitates relaxed swim sessions for people with physical disabilities, those with learning disabilities and other medical conditions.

More information can be found on their website: www.platypusswimmingclub.co.uk.