Anytime I was challenged and told I couldn't do something, I would absolutely have to prove the opposite. And I did.

I never used the press for anything except my charity.

The police came to me to say I had death threats and that I had to be careful!

I just have friends that don't sell their pictures to newspapers.

I've had, you know, my leg chopped off.

I was competing in an IPC World Cup race, but the finish area was short and I came across the line with my head down and went straight through the fence. It was only because the Italian team doctor leapt out to grab me that I didn't smash through the café window.

Having loved sport my whole life, competing in a Paralympics would be a dream come true.