Friedreich's ataxia: The teen hoping to horse ride her way to the Paralympics

A 13-year-old girl from Catford has set her sights on competing in the dressage at the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Yasmina who has Friedreich's ataxia, a condition that progressively damages the nervous system, lost the ability to walk unaided when lockdown hit and vital physio services were paused.
But when restrictions were lifted she took up horse riding as a form of therapy to strengthen her muscles. That lead to a love of horse riding, which lead to recent success in national competitions and now a big ambition, as Jim Wheble reports.
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[@julianaylor4351]

As much as I admire people like this, it gives some people the wrong ideas about disablity. I have arthritis and nerve damage to the right side of my body, so bad if I tried to ride on a horse, I'd fall off. But all power to her. I can't even stand up straight or ride a bicycle. ❤️

[@julianaylor4351]

@@murph_mustela The point is some people don't realise that, and that leads to hateful and sometimes spiteful behaviour. You only have to look at the crap in the gutter press, about all disabled people being too lazy to work. I've had abuse about that on a bus once. The abuser thought I had more money than him....I'm poor. I've also been treated as though I'm stupid, just because of my mobility issues, insulting because I'm college educated with a high IQ. You have to be disabled in some way that shows, like I am to know what I'm talking about. You're lucky not to be obviously disabled like I am. Some people pounce on that. It is positive that you can overcome some conditions, but with others like mine you just have to live with it, cope with your limits and answer your abusers back, like I did on that bus ride.

[@touria64]

Thank you for your feedback about my daughters disability, and good luck with your condition as well

[@qrtrmil]

Keep going, Yasmina!! I would like to send you an e-mail, is that possibile? 🤗🌸