Photo ParalympicsGB
Susie, the Accidental Athlete
Susie wears prosthetic limbs on her left side and orthotics for her right foot. She has lived a life of disability since birth. She understands the complexity of inclusion, but is a strong believer in the rights of people with disabilities, having used her determination to succeed in every aspect of her life despite the barriers she has faced in society to her equal participation. Susie believes that no one should be left behind; in education, work and in government and public life, as well as in society in general. Susie is an advocate and speaker on inclusion and diversity and is a role model and mentor to other people with disabilities, showing what is possible, through openly speaking about her own experiences as a disabled woman.
Susie is also a former professional athlete who competed at two Paralympic Games winning a total of 30 international medals including 17 Gold. She became Paralympic Champion in the 50m Butterfly at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, her first, she came away with three Bronze medals, British and European records. She went on to become multiple European and World Champion across her disciplines including 50m, 100m and 400m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and 100m Backstroke. It wasn't until eight years after the start of her journey as a professional athlete, that she finally won individual Gold in the women's S7 classification 50m Butterfly at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. She set a European record of 35.07 and her shocked expression and reaction became a media and memorable highlight of those Games. Susie conducted her entire career as an athlete whilst still maintaining her professional career with a part-time role at the British Council as well as sitting on various Boards as a Director.
Susie advises international development charities on inclusion, she is an advisor and expert panel member of the British Council’s Global Disability Advisory Panel, which operates in over 100 countries globally in intercultural relations. She currently works at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as a Technical Adviser on Disability Inclusion in economic development, global health and climate action - advising across global UK strategies, policies, international programmes and UN resolutions amongst other areas. Susie is an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society and has worked with the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders on the importance of protecting our oceans. Susie has a postgraduate diploma from the Financial Times in Non-Executive Director leadership and has experience sitting on two boards and advisory panels across the health and educational sectors. Susie formerly served on the board of the British Athletes Commission, as the Chair of the Athletes Advisory Group, a time when she worked with fellow directors to lobby for better awareness of athlete welfare and their representation in the UK elite sport system. She was a director of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy charity, Spirit of 2012 for nearly a decade from 2014 and was the safeguarding champion, served on the Audit and Risk Sub-Committee and was Chair of the Inclusion Panel with delegated responsibility from the Board to spend £1m on inclusive grant projects in the UK.
““Motivation is that little voice that you can listen to or ignore. It’s that inner fire and drive that cannot be taught or forced.””
Susie's Achievements in Paralympic Swimming
Rio 2016 Paralympic Games:
Gold 50m Butterfly (ER)
Bronze 50m Freestyle (BR)
Bronze 400m Freestyle
IPC European Championships, Madeira 2016:
5 Gold: 50m Freestyle & Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, 4x100m Medley relay (34 point)
IPC World Championships, Glasgow 2015:
Gold: Women's 4x100m Medley relay (34 point)
Bronze: 100m Freestyle
IPC European Championships, Eindhoven 2014
Gold: 50m, 100m and 400m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly and 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Silver: 100m Backstroke
IPC World Championships, Montreal 2013
Gold: Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay
Silver: 50m, 100m, 400m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly
London 2012 Paralympic Games
Bronze 400m Freestyle ER
Bronze 100m Freestyle
Bronze Women’s 4x100m Freestyle relay (34 point) ER
IPC European Championships, Berlin 2011
Gold: 100m, 400m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, Women’s 4x100 Free relay (34 point)
Silver: 50m Freestyle
