“Being ok with what my body is, accepting this is me.” Cameron Leslie's journey to his 4th Paralympics.

The Word with Wendy Petrie

“Being ok with what my body is, accepting this is me.”

Para swimming champion & Wheel Black, Cameron Leslie’s journey from Whangārei’s local pools getting some filthy looks, to triumph on the world stage is an inspiration. The quadruple amputee, is heading to his 4th Paralympics or the ‘big dance’ as he calls it. From being soundly beaten and on the verge of quitting, to wanting to win at all costs, Cameron admits the Paris Paralympics will look very different. The now father of 3 now wants to show his kids that Dad can do some cool stuff. Paving the way for disabled swimmers and shining a light on the sport, Cameron says back when he first hit the international stage there was no kaumātua or old dogs to guide the up and comers. Swimming for the 30 year old offers a sense of freedom, while out of water it’s clunky. Even now, he admits to fighting a constant mental battle with body image. However he knows he is part of the change raising the profile of disabled athletes, that come August, will see the Paralympics shown on primetime tv.

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