rachael - Latham

SWIMMING

What was your sport and how did you get into it?

I was a swimmer and I learnt to swim at the age of three.  

Tell us about the highlights of your sporting career?

I won medals at the World Championships, World Cups and competed at the Paralympic Games in the Beijing. I also set world records for the 200m and 50m Butterfly while I was a teenager.

What were some of the challenges you experienced and how did you overcome them?

Due to an injury at birth, I have limited use of my left arm, so I learnt to swim just using my right arm. My first challenge was just learning to swim in a straight line. As I grew up, my biggest challenge was to manage my time, around school, swimming and a social life. At different times in my life I had to learn to prioritise and make sacrifices. You can read more about my life growing up and the challenges I faced here.

What have been your highlights while working at the Trust?

Using my journey and experiences from being a patient at AlderHey Children’s hospital to help current patients there now. 

What do you do now alongside working for the Trust?

I have worked as a TV Reporter at five Paralympic Games and I am a Disability Consultant for The Ability People. I have nearly 15 years of experience as a motivational speaker and I have a First Class Bsc (Homs) Degree in Sports Development with Event Management.

What life advice would you give a young person?

Don’t be afraid to bring new people into your life or your team, if they can help you be an even better person. 

What experience do you have of working with corporate organisations? 

When I lived in the US, I worked as Programming & Strategic Partnerships Manager at Adaptive Sports Northwest from 2017 to 2020. My responsibilities included maintaining and enhancing current adaptive sports programs, developing relationships with partners and sponsors to grow ASNW programming and assist with public relations, publicity, marketing and outreach efforts.

What does Being Me mean to you?

No one can do ‘you’ better than ‘you’. I live by this motto and regularly say it to young people when they get caught up in other people’s lives on social media and in school. 

I am at my best when I focus on my own hopes and dreams, instead of trying to fit in with other peoples.  

Competitive
Record

2009

Manchester World Cup

2008

Paralympic Games, Bejing

2007

World Cup, Manchester

2006

World Championships