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Shreen's Story

“People call me superhuman, brave or inspirational. I see myself as a chronically ill, semi-functioning superhero”

From a young age of three, I have always been an active sportsperson.

I’ve played multiple sports, won numerous athletics certificates and medals for javelin, basketball and a sports council award issued by a mayor.

I’ve also basketball for x3 teams including a well-known London basketball team.

I finished school at 16, went to college full-time, studied sports and exercise science and passed my courses. Outside of college, I completed sports-award coaching courses.

I then pursued my childhood dream and started working for the police in my mid-20s. I started as a Police Community Support Officer and then progressed to working as a Police Officer.

However, in 2017 my life was changed as I was injured in the line of duty, during a foot chase whilst trying to get suspects resisting arrest.

My injury resulted in the long-term disabilities of my lower limbs and joints from the time of injury and these progressed.

I decided that I needed to find other ways of getting active whilst seated and to socialise with people similar to me so to share experiences. I really wanted to feel like I was a part of a squad again!

Shreen facing back on a sports hall court in her wheelchair.

In early 2020, I had a trial session for the Crawley Jets Wheelchair Rugby Team. I then fell in love with the sport and joined the team.  

In 2022, whilst playing for Crawley, I also joined Gravesend Dynamite Wheelchair Rugby League Team. 

In 2023, I started Wheelchair Boxing.

I also qualified as a Level 2 Wheelchair Rugby League Coach and a Level 3 Personal Trainer. and won Most Improved Player and two Trophies for Wheelchair Rugby League.

Since my disability, I’ve continued working for government organisations.

I decided that I needed to find other ways of getting active whilst seated, and to socialise with people similar to me so to share experiences. I really wanted to feel like I was a part of a squad again!”

I have always been an active person, but my injury on duty resulted in a long-term disability being diagnosed shortly after the accident. 

At the time I did not realise my life would change with the disability progressing so quickly and affecting various lower joints.

This took a big toll on my mental health, as I also lost my father and had a breakdown in my marriage during this time.

Plus m0y job was on the line and I was being pressured by my employer.

I still attended work everyday but was put off from exercising as I couldn’t do the activities or sports that I used to do.

My disability motivates me everyday because it gives me the opportunity to inspire the younger and older generation that anything’s impossible regardless of a person’s ability.

Shreen playing wheelchair rugby with two opponents next to her.

Wheelchair sports give me a purpose, keep me active, aid my disabilities, plus they help me socialise and manage my mental health.

My team, Gravesend Dynamite Wheelchair Rugby League, plus international players and coaches who I play alongside or met, have motivated me because they’ve made me see my true potential and openly given me advice.

Competitions motivate me. 

I competed two Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby 5’s (WR5s) tournaments in 2022 and 2023 and we came second two years in a row.

During a tournament, I’ve met and spoken to an MBE Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Player who is also the first female Wheelchair Paralympic Champion.

This inspired me to pursue further as a female player.

In this time, I’ve also made some awesome friends and teammates and now I hope to take my Wheelchair Rugby League career further.

Wheelchair Rugby League is brutal, exciting and fun and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to compete, socialise, build confidence, overcome mental health or injuries, deal with disability or keep fit.

I’m open and transparent with employers by explaining my sport commitments and the importance of my attendance.

Employers have been supportive in arranging annual leave or leaving work earlier to attend training and matches.

I’ve recently changed jobs and that enables me to plan my schedule better to be able to attend training sessions in the weekdays and to attend matches during the weekdays or weekends.

I am hoping to take my Wheelchair Rugby League career further.

Wheelchair sports give me a purpose, keep me active, aid my disabilities, plus they help me socialise and manage my mental health."

My chosen way of being active was by playing all wheelchair sports, particularly wheelchair rugby. Wheelchair rugby league makes me feel confident, included, respected and strong.

People are surprised by my speed and strength I’m even nicknamed “The Brute”.

Daily, I wear knee braces, other medical supports and insoles. I try to manage my pain levels with daily medication, diet, exercise and by socialising with friends or family.

Exercising helps me to forget about my disabilities and pain levels.

I continue to have ongoing surgery and treatments from various medical professionals for problems with my lower limbs because I’m in constant pain and my disability can leave me struggling to walk, unable to walk or even bed-bound.

Nerve pain levels cause me difficulty falling to sleep or staying asleep and I am always fatigued. 

Shreen sitting in her wheelchair in a sports hall surrounded by other wheelchairs, holding a coffee cup, and smiling.

The Covid-19 pandemic impacted me as I started wheelchair Rugby in February 2020 and we all went on lockdown in March 2020.

I was unable to participate in wheelchair sports, so had to find ways of exercising at home without increasing my pain levels or causing my disability to progress.

At home, I started doing seated weightlifting strength and cardio sessions, resistance band training and slow cardio using an exercise bike.