“Swimming sets me free”

I am truly inspired by Maisie Summers-Newton, the 22-year-old double Paralympic Champion who hails from Wollaston in Northamptonshire. Her resilience, determination, and grace under pressure are nothing short of remarkable.

As a passionate film buff putting on my goggles, I’d say: “I, hailing from the heart of Northamptonshire in Wollaston, had the honor of being a double Paralympic Champion at Tokyo this year, dominating the 100m breaststroke and the 200m individual medley. I even set a new world record in the process! This upcoming season, I’ll be defending my titles and taking the plunge in events such as the 200m individual medley, 100m breaststroke, and 400m freestyle. To top it all off, I was bestowed with an MBE in 2022.”

MAISIE SUMMERS-NEWTON

As a film enthusiast might put it, ever since I dipped my toes in the water at seven, I’ve been making regular splashes at our local Wellingborough swimming club, four to five times a week. When the 2012 Paralympic Games rolled around, Northamptonshire Sport invited us for an eye-opening event to explore parasports. With my mother booking me a spot, I found myself in the car, tears streaming down my face, ‘I don’t want to get into that pool.’ Swimming was my passion, but the thought of meeting new faces and venturing into unfamiliar territory left me with butterflies in my stomach.

After spending my initial year, I ramped up my training at Northampton Swimming Club, and I’ve continued this journey till now. By the end of my rookie season, my swimming times were almost on par with Ellie Simmonds’. Encountering Ellie for the first time, around age 12 or 13, felt like meeting Beyoncé. At the age of 15, I made my senior debut at the World Para Swimming European Championships – my first time representing Great Britain. This was also the event where I beat Ellie for the first time, which left me feeling guilty, and I even broke her world record. It had always been a dream of mine to race against her.

My mum is the core of everything – I’d be lost without her

As a dedicated cinephile, I diligently dedicate around 2.5 hours each day, six days a week, sometimes rising as early as 4 am for a 5 am kick-off. Twice weekly, you’ll find me at the gym. My approach to nutrition is balanced; I don’t deprive myself excessively. After a grueling workout, there’s nothing quite like savoring my mom’s homemade meal. My mother is the pillar of my world – I’d be adrift without her support. My grandfather serves as my guiding star; he accompanied me to training and competitions when Mom was working, took care of my sisters, and lent a helping hand financially at times.

Born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism that gives me loose ligaments and bowed legs, I find walking quite challenging. The discomfort in my legs, knees, hips, ankles, and lower back can be incredibly intense at times. However, swimming is truly liberating for me as it eliminates the pain and restrictions associated with my movement.

Growing up, I spent a considerable amount of time in hospitals, with my initial surgeries happening when I turned eight. One of the procedures I underwent was known as an “eight-plate” surgery. This involved implanting two sets of plates in each leg, shaped like the number eight, which helped to tighten my ligaments and correct the alignment of my legs. I’m deeply appreciative that my mother made this decision for me, as it has significantly enhanced the strength of my legs.

During my visit, I encountered numerous kids, which sparked my interest in becoming a pediatrician. However, I eventually opted for primary education instead. I recently completed my degree at Northampton University in May, making me a fully-fledged teacher now. After Paris, I won’t immediately jump into teaching, but I’m certain that one day I’ll be in a classroom, educating children about disabilities and motivating the future generation.

In my village, the warm reception is truly appreciated, yet there are instances where individuals seem to gawk. It’s crucial that we foster understanding through education regarding appropriate language use. The term ‘midget’ isn’t acceptable – I prefer being identified as a little person or someone with dwarfism. I dislike being referred to as a dwarf, for I am simply Maisie. I believe no one should be labeled based on their physical appearance.

LAURA SUMMERS

MAISIE’S MUM

Maisie’s eyes are truly captivating, drawing admiration from everyone who sees them. As a cheerful, carefree child, she has never caused any trouble for me! Maisie is my oldest daughter and the only one among my three girls with dwarfism. We didn’t discover her condition until she was approximately six months old, as growth can sometimes slow down following birth.

Upon being instructed to search ‘achondroplasia’, a term unfamiliar to me prior, I’ve always maintained a strong sense of protection over Maisie, a feeling that persists to this day. Whether it’s due to her being my firstborn or her undeniable uniqueness, I can’t say for sure.

For many years, Maisie has been a familiar figure in our small town of Wollaston. Since she’s deeply rooted within our community, she’s never experienced any bullying. We don’t view her differently from anyone else. The kids adore her, and when they spot her at the store, they excitedly murmur among themselves, “There’s Maisie! There’s Maisie!”

As a youngster, Maisie found herself apprehensive about swimming due to her inability to stand in even the shallow parts of the pool. However, once equipped with armbands, she developed a fondness for it. My primary concern was ensuring her safety in the water. Unfortunately, she couldn’t participate in other sports and skipped physical education at school, but swimming was the only activity that didn’t strain her joints.

Since she beat Ellie Simmonds, there’s been no stopping her

Our family is deeply connected with swimming – I was a swimmer myself, and my father, Jeff, played a significant role in Wellingborough Swimming Club. Unfortunately, the girls’ biological father hasn’t been present in their lives; however, my dad has stepped up as a paternal figure for them. All three girls were part of various swimming squads, so my dad and I would share the responsibility of taking them to and from practices. He continues to attend Maisie’s competitions and records her times.

15-year-old Pia, my youngest child, participated in the British Nationals swim meet. However, she didn’t secure a win and chose to stop swimming. Similarly, Boe, my 20-year-old daughter, made the same decision at the same age. As Maisie advanced in her swimming career, we attended various meets throughout the UK. It’s quite tense watching her compete! The first time she beat Ellie Simmonds was a memorable moment for us, as we exclaimed “wow”! Since then, Maisie has continued to excel without pause.

As a devoted cinephile juggling multiple roles, I find myself not just immersed in the silver screen world but also deeply entrenched in daily household tasks. My beloved brood still resides under our roof, and I wear many hats: the Laundress, the Cleaning Queen, the Head Chef of our kitchen realm. With Maisie’s rigorous training schedule demanding two sessions a day, it means at least double the laundry workload – two towels for each session!

Since Maisie recently became a certified teacher and works diligently, it has made it more convenient for her to stay at home. Meals are already prepared when she arrives – eliminating the need for additional thoughts about meal preparation. She enjoys hearty pasta dishes or burgers! I’m genuinely proud of all her accomplishments; she truly serves as an inspiration. However, she often feels pressure due to others’ expectations of her success. Yet, as her family, it doesn’t matter where she excels in life.

2024-08-20 18:34

MAISIE SUMMERS-NEWTON

LAURA SUMMERS

MAISIE’S MUM

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