Hey Everyone!
For those who don’t know me my name is Lindsay Thorpe, I’m also known for being Mrs Cuttings daughter. I am a former Kingsfield Primary School student and originally from Chatteris.
In May of 2016 I had to have my leg amputated due to the medical problems I had been suffering from all my life. This ended up being a blessing in disguise for me as even though adapting to life without my leg was difficult, I was signed to a multisport scheme with Team GB where I went to many different Para programs to try different sports and see if I had the potential to become an elite para-athlete. One of the sports I tried was Paracanoe and I fell in love. Bearing in mind I had never sat in a boat before, by the end of 2016 I was offered a full-time contract on the World Class program and have not turned back since. In my time as an athlete, I have managed to achieve a Bronze medal at my first World Championships, numerous rankings against the world’s fastest nationally with only one year missing out on a podium spot due to injury. A World Championship Gold in a short distance crew boat and recently this year coming away with a European Silver. In 2024 I will be racing off for the one GB spot at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Through the years there has been a lot of ups and downs but mainly a lot of drive and focus to reach my goals. With this I was very fortunate to be awarded the Rushcliffe Sportsperson of the year.
I hope that all that read my story can see that even from the small town of Chatteris with hard work and determination goals are very much achievable.
Best Wishes
L.Thorpe