The Present By Charlotte O

Time slowly ticks away, as I watch my gymnastics friends fly through the air practising their routines. I am so, so, so upset that I can’t be practising with my friends.

Out of the corner of my eye I see my mum approaching me. She is holding something in her hand. What could it be? Next thing I know my mum hands me a sheet of paper. WOW! It’s advertising gymnastics for people with a disability. That’s awesome! I really, really, really want to go. My mum helps guide me to the car.

Suddenly there in front of me I see a girl just like me. My eyes are about to pop out of my HEAD! I can’t believe what I am seeing. Out of the blue the girl starts to talk to me. I can hardly concentrate on what she is saying. Slowly I walk around the gym floor, I pinch my arm to make sure I’m not dreaming. I can hardly speak. I can’t believe this is real. Without warning I stop in front of the uneven bars. I really, really, really want to swing on the uneven bars, but I can’t because I have to pay attention to what my new best friend is saying.

Happiness erupts inside my body. It is now my turn on the spectacular, high, white uneven bars. I feel like I am about to burst with excitement. I have been listening carefully to the safety instructions from my gymnastics teacher. At my new gymnastics school it is one teacher to one student. My gym teacher lifts me up onto the uneven bars. I grab the bars tightly with my hand and begin to swing. This feels amazing. I feel like I am back at gymnastics for real this time.

I am getting stronger every day with my one leg. My gym teacher now only has to lift me up onto the uneven bars. My landing is still a teeny bit wobbly but improving a lot. I am so happy that my cheeks are as red as a ruby red rose. I have made so many new friends. I am now trying to make the paralympics team. There is one more reason why I am SO happy all because of my mum finding that poster and giving it to me. Now I am feeling confident in myself! 

My life is now satisfying, brilliant and spectacular because of disability gymnastics.