My name is Ebony, I have a condition called Cerebral Palsy which mainly affects my legs, balance and my left hand side. I was diagnosed at 18 months old and my parents were told that it would be very unlikely that I would be able to walk or talk and that I would need specialist care 24 hours a day, my parents decided that they didn’t want me to live a life where I needed specialist care and helped me on a daily basis with exercises and speech therapy to get me walking and talking. I didn’t take my first steps till I was over 2 years old (aided).
I attended mainstreams schools throughout my education and hoped one day that I would be able to do sports like everybody else but due to health and safety, I was unable to do any sports so I had to do physio sessions instead (I did not think this was very fair).
15 years ago, I was invited to attend a day all about different disability sports for which wheelchair tennis was my first choice and I was introduced to my coach after the session I was invited to join the local wheelchair tennis club in Taunton where I currently still play.
I also took part in wheelchair racing and seated shot, discus and javelin I represented the local athletics club at many national events.
2 years ago, I took a break from all sport because I could not see a future for myself. It was at this point that I realised that I needed help with my mental health I found the strength to approach my empowerment coach (who also plays wheelchair tennis) and after many months of discussions and a few sessions on court together I realised who much I love playing wheelchair tennis and I haven’t looked back since.
In 2018 I signed a contract with my current racquet sponsor Tenxpro and in February of 2019, I took delivery of my own custom made to measure top of the range tennis chair.
This website has been setup to document my wheelchair tennis journey and to show people that anything is possible if you believe in yourself!