SHE’S a world class athlete and the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent evening celebrating the success of women in Redditch.
Yet for Leanna Horne every day is a struggle.
She has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair, yet it is the obstacles of every day life and officialdom in particular that dog her.
And now she’s appealing for help so she attend the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association’s World Championships in Sant Cugat near Barcelona in August.
“We were really hoping our governing body would cover flights out to Spain for me and my assistants but we had an email last week saying this would not be the case,” said Leanna, the world’s No 1 female F31 Club Throw Athlete.
Not only that but Team England won’t even be paying for the athletes’ kit.
“I think mine’s about £150 – but if you are representing your country you would like to think they would support you – lots of people think we’re funded by the National Lottery but unless you’re top three that just doesn’t happen,” she said.
The former Arrow Vale High School student has been making waves all her life.
She broke down barriers by attending a mainstream school and sees only ability where others saw disability.
Despite this, officialdom keeps throwing up barriers.
“I’ve lived independently since I was 18 and I didn’t realise how much my mum and dad had to fight for me until then.
“I was born with cerebral palsy and it’s not going to go away, yet every year I get assessed by the Government and they are continually looking to cut my funding,” said Leanna.
“They moved us to direct payment for carers, which in theory is a good idea, but trying to find someone who is trustworthy and respects that I’m an athlete and will travel all over the world is really difficult.
“I had to rely on an agency but I only get £9 an hour funding while the agency costs £17.
“Since March it has been an uphill struggle. With a carer you have to trial them to make sure they’re suitable, but if you’re not using your funding social services will send someone out to ask why and see if they can reduce the payments.
“Taking the funding away really scares me,” said the 30-year-old.
Leanna is also in receipt of Personal Independent Payments from the Government.
“You know your condition hasn’t changed but they still make us re-apply which is ridiculous if you look at my diagnosis,” said the 30 year old.
“I feel I’m constantly being challenged and made to feel guilty as if it’s my choice to be like this.”
Leanna is trying to raise £20,000 to continue her sporting activities.
To support her visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paraathleteleanna or visit just giving online and search for Leanna Horne para athlete.
