Family seeks help to pursue Leah’s swimming dreams

The family of a teenage disabled swimmer is appealing for donations to help her follow the same path as her Paralympic heroes.

Leah Pearson, 14, of Newark, has autism, learning difficulties and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Type 3, a degenerative tissue disorder that affects tendons and ligaments.

Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston, who plays Izzy Armstrong, has the same condition.

Because some sufferers are affected much less than others, it has not been given a classification in Paralympic swimming.

That leaves just one route for Leah to compete in national and international events — competing in the S14 intellectual impairment category.

To do so requires her to take a WISC test, to measure her intellectual ability, and an adaptive behaviour assessment.

These are carried out by Leeds-based educational psychologist Mr Anwar Hussain but cost hundreds of pounds.

Should Leah prove successful following the assessments, the family would then apply to Swim England for the classification.

Leah’s family has set up a fundraising page to help them meet the cost of the tests and help the Bingham Penguins swimmer reach her goal.

“She would like to be a Paralympian,” said her mother, Kate Palmer, who is Leah’s full-time carer.

“Leah swims with Bingham Penguins on Sundays and on Saturdays she trains with the Nottinghamshire Nova Disability squad, at Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre.

“Last Saturday she saw Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds swimming at the pool. Ellie is an inspiration.

“Leah is determined to swim at the next level, so to get this qualification opens up a whole new world for her.

“There was another girl who Leah swims with and their family said they couldn’t do it because of the cost, but we are going to try. Leah is young and this is achievable, so we are going for it.”

Leah’s twin sister, Chloe, and younger sister, Amy, who attend Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn, support her at weekend events, alongside father Mark and stepfather Ian.

Swimming is the best way for Leah, a pupil at Newark Orchard School, to exercise.

'Her sisters will be there supporting her'

“Her physical disability means that she can get tired and fatigued very quickly, and for longer distances she needs to use a wheelchair,” Kate said.

“She has to wear a brace on her left knee to support her joints, and special boots with insoles because her feet roll.

“Leah can’t get much exercise without putting a strain on her, so swimming is much better. She can be in the pool for an hour-and-a-half and she is on the move all the time.

“Whenever Leah goes swimming at the weekend, to a gala for example, we try to turn it into a day out. Her sisters will be there supporting her, even if they have some homework to do as well.”

To contribute towards funding the tests, which cost £350, visit the family’s fundraising page.