Casey

“I was born prematurely and have an eye condition called retinopathy of prematurity so I’m registered blind.

”I enjoy sport and although school does its best to include me I find it difficult to take part and progress. Playing sport with sighted kids doesn’t give me a level playing field and I always get put in the bottom group in Phys Ed lessons. Just because my eyes don’t work doesn’t mean my body and brain don’t, but people rarely take the time to find out what I can do.

“I also struggle with self-confidence, especially since being badly bullied at school because of my disability. This makes socialising difficult and I sometimes avoid social situations.

“When my mum found out about the tandem group, she made me go and try it. I didn’t want to because I can’t ride a bike so it seemed pointless – I was the only kid in school who couldn’t take cycling proficiency so I didn’t want to put myself through something only for it to fail.

“But when I got on the tandem I really enjoyed it, I had a great pilot who filled me with confidence and made me feel in control.

“It was great to experience the physical freedom of riding a bike for the first time, I enjoy challenging myself to see what I can do.

“One of the best things was competing at Nottingham Cycle Live 2018. Completing the 25-mile course really improved my confidence. I’m already signed up for 2019 but this time I want to do the 75-mile challenge!

“It’s great to be surrounded by people who encourage me to focus on what I can achieve and not worry about what I can’t. I might set my sights on competing in the Paralympics 2024, I’m beginning to believe in myself and in what I might achieve.

“I’m grateful to the tandem group for giving me the chance to experience cycling for the first time; it helped get me into the sport and has fired my ambition to be the best that I can be!”