Paralympic silver medalist inspires Dagenham pupils
A Paralympic swimmer amputated at the knee inspired pupils after telling them how she overcame her disability to win silver at the London Games.
Charlotte Henshaw, 25, was born with bilateral tibial hypoplasia, meaning her legs were under-developed and had to be operated on when she was 18 months.
She won silver in the 100m breaststroke in London last month and another silver at the World Championships last year in the same event with a time of 1 minute 39 seconds on each occasion.
Charlotte, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, met pupils at the library of All Saints secondary in Terling Road, Dagenham, on Wednesday.
Librarian Tracy Roome, 45, said: “She told the children not to get anything let them down and find a way round things.
“They were totally inspired by her. It was a real privilege to have her.
“Being an Olympic year, she lifted the whole school. It was a fantastic experience for everyone.”
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All Saints history teacher Kelly Mordue, who is a close friend of Charlotte’s, organised the visit.
