PONY POWER . . . Charlotte Thomson, left, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has made a film urging others to try something new after discovering the joys of pony carriage driving
Charlotte Thomson, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has discovered the joys of pony carriage driving – and is now campaigning for others to do the same.
The 23-year-old, who needs assistance with almost every aspect of her life, said: “I can’t walk, I can’t use my hands, but since I’ve started carriage driving it’s become my way of freedom.
“It’s like getting about myself with no help, and it’s just amazing. I didn’t think I would be able to do it but now I wouldn’t look back.
“We can talk, we do have a mind. It’s just the wheelchair. But if people do look beyond
that they would realise that the disabled can do things.”
And Charlotte is now keen to tell others about the benefits of the sport and has teamed up with Fixers, a charity which gives young people a voice, to make a short film urging youngsters to try something new.
Her passion for the sport is obvious for all to see and led to her being crowned the British Para Novice Champion earlier this year.
Charlotte’s proud mum Sonia added: “It was like a new lease of life for her. It gave her something independently she could do without physical help from anybody else.
“It gives her a bit more confidence, it gives her a bit more freedom and it just makes her happy.”
