EXCLUSIVE: Wiltshire-based Paralympian urges residents to 'never give up' on their dreams
Suzanna Hext has spoken exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio
Last updated 26th Jan 2022
A Wiltshire-based Paralympian is calling on people across the county to "never give up" on their dreams.
Almost 10 years after she was paralysed from the waist down following a horse-riding incident, Suzanna Hext has shared her story exclusively with Greatest Hits Radio.
In 2012, a freak accident in Fairford, Gloucestershire left the athlete with a shattered pelvis and crushed shoulder. Suzanna also sustained injuries to her head and spinal cord.
"I knew my life was going to be very different, I instantly knew I was in trouble.
"I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. I was in and out of consciousness. It's a day that sends a bit of a shiver down my spine still," she said.
Managing to overcome years of rehabilitation, the Calne resident won three gold medals at the 2017 Equestrian European Championship in Gothenburg.
She also went onto compete internationally in swimming, medalling twice at London's 2019 World Para Swimming Championships. The 33-year-old currently trains at Swindon's Link Centre.
Despite her ongoing success, Suzanna hasn't been spared from further health complications.
The Paralympian's long-term struggles with hearing led to her gradually becoming deaf in recent years.
An ear operation in late-2020 was followed by another just weeks later. She was also hospitalised immediately after breaking a British record in the trials for the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Several ear infections and three asthma attacks then led to the athlete being admitted to hospital twice in Japan, during summer last year. This eventually forced her to withdraw from several events at the Games, after finishing fourth in both the 100m freestyle S5 and 200m freestyle S5.
'My body gave me absolutely everything'
She added: "Looking back on it now, I am so proud of what my body gave me. My body gave me absolutely everything out there.
"Off the back of my accident, I guess you just push yourself that little bit more".
Suzanna has told us she's now "ready to push forward" in 2022. She intends to compete at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira in June, with half an eye on Equestrian preparations for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Having encountered and overcome major obstacles throughout her life, Suzanna has now given an exclusive message to Greatest Hits Radio listeners, who may currently be facing their own difficulties: