Louise Hunt Skelley is a Paralympian, speaker, mentor and ambassador.
Louise was born on the 24th May 1991 with a disability called Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Louise has therefore been in a wheelchair her whole life as she has little movement in her lower limbs.
At the age of 5 Louise began participating in many sports, swimming, basketball and fencing and soon discovered she had keen interests in Wheelchair Tennis and Wheelchair Racing. Louise won 7 out of 10 London Mini Wheelchair Marathons, an unofficial World Record. She realised Wheelchair Tennis was her real passion and in 2012 competed in her first Paralympic Games in London. In the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Louise qualified at number 10 in the World.
"When I was at the height of my tennis career, at my highest every world ranking, achieving the best results of my career, my national governing body cut me from the performance team, taking away all of my funding and my place on the national squad. In that moment I initially thought the only option was to give up. I felt every ounce of self-belief I had leave my body in that moment.
However in time, I realised that just because they no longer believed in me, didn’t mean that I didn’t have to or that others felt the same. Through sheer grit, determination and most importantly asking for help, I found a way to fund my own programme for the remaining 5 years of my professional career. Although it was incredibly stressful and hard, I’ve never felt so empowered and independent in all my life. I showed myself and others that just because someone has given up on you, doesn’t mean you have to give up on yourself.
Every single person’s life has its share of obstacles, but some roads are rockier than others, and my path in life, as a disabled woman, athlete, and business woman has been anything but straightforward. In facing the multiple challenges which have come my way head on, I’ve come to understand that purpose isn’t something you’re simply born with; it’s something you create, find and develop over time yourself. For me, my purpose has grown from moments of resilience, overcoming adversity and from those who’ve supported me along the way. Becoming a Paralympic wheelchair tennis player has been one of my greatest accomplishments, but that identity wasn’t simply given - it’s something I fought to build, to preserve as a retired athlete and ultimately to cherish.
This journey also led me to the perhaps some more unexpected achievements, such as writing my autobiography, What’s Wrong with You? This project became an extension of who I am and a celebration of my life experiences. The title may be confronting to some, but it holds deep meaning to me and its contrasting words between the title “Redefining What’s Possible. Unapologetically Unstoppable,” shine a light on the ever-evolving contrast of my life which truly makes me who I am today. I mean there’s no chance of me not remaining down to earth when I get asked questions like ‘What’s wrong with you?’ on a nearly daily basis. Questions like this have made me question my purpose and place in the world on countless occasions, but in between those mad moments are the compliments, people telling me I inspire them and supporting me to achieve whatever I set my sights on. It’s there that I draw confidence and remember what my purpose is. By writing my book, I was able to share my story, my realityand all the victories and struggles that come with living a life that others sometimes view as “different.” It gave me a chance to shine a light on what really motivates me and gives me reason to get up every day, which is to change perceptions and help others see they have a potential to reach.
Growing up with a disability, I encountered barriers that went far beyond physical limitations. There were societal stereotypes and misconceptions, quiet dismissals and sometimes even explicit doubts about my capabilities. But the hardest battles were often internal. When you’re told repeatedly that you can’t or won’t achieve something, those voices can start to resonate in your own mind. However, sports have a unique way of transforming limitations into strengths. In tennis, I found my place where my spirit could shine regardless of what others thought or what physical challenges I faced. It wasn’t just about hitting a ball or competing on some of the world’s biggest sporting stages, it was about strategy, focus, endurance, and resilience. It was an arena where I could prove, if only to myself, that I was capable of whatever I set my mind to.
But pursuing wheelchair tennis came with its own set of challenges. Training requires a dedication that goes beyond the court; it’s about conditioning both body and mind, adapting to the realities of my body and the limitations it may impose. I had to push beyond my own doubts and the doubts of others. Whether through early mornings, gruelling workouts, or painful setbacks, I found strength in knowing that every small victory, every step forward, brought me closer to my goal, and gave me a sense of purpose!
Writing What’s Wrong with You? has been an extraordinary accomplishment, not only because it’s the culmination of my life experiences but also because it allowed me to confront and redefine the question that so many people have asked me over the years. This book was an opportunity to reclaim my story, to shift the narrative from what’s wrong with me to what’s right with me and, ultimately, to invite others to reflect on their own assumptions and judgments.
Writing allowed me to be vulnerable in a new way. While I’m used to showing grit and determination on the court, sharing my thoughts, fears and hopes in written form was challenging in a different way. But it was also incredibly freeing. By putting my story into words, I felt like I was finally able to put down the weight of others’ expectations, and I found a sense of purpose and pride that went beyond my role as an athlete.
Through the book, I could share the moments that shaped me: the small triumphs, the stinging defeats, and everything in between. In my story, I hope people see that adversity doesn’t diminish us; it reveals our character, resilience and the tenacity we sometimes don’t even know we have until we’re pushed to our limits.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that true purpose is rarely a solo endeavour. I wouldn’t be the person I am without the people who’ve walked this path with me. Family, friends, mentors and teammates - all of them have been a foundation of strength and love. Their belief in me has sometimes been the only light in the darkest of times, giving me courage when I felt defeated and reminding me of my own potential when I couldn’t see it myself.
The people who bring out the best in me aren’t just my cheerleaders; they’re also my mirrors, reflecting my strengths back to me and holding me accountable to my goals. They help me focus not on what’s “wrong” with me but on what I’m capable of achieving. It’s through their encouragement and unconditional love that I find the motivation to keep pushing forward, to overcome setbacks and to continue striving toward my dreams. Surrounding myself with people who believe in me has been crucial in building and maintaining my sense of purpose.
True friends and supporters don’t shy away when things get tough. They’re there through the struggles and setbacks, pushing me to keep going and lifting me up when I need it most. Their support is more than words; it’s the kind of deep, unwavering commitment that has taught me about love, resilience and trust. They’ve been there to celebrate the highs and to console me in the lows. Through them, I’ve learned that purpose isn’t just about personal achievement, it’s about being part of a community, of lifting each other up and achieving/celebrating together.
I’ve come to realise that my purpose goes beyond simply being a Paralympian. My journey, with all its highs and lows, has given me a unique perspective that I feel compelled to share. I want to show others that even when society tells you there are things you “can’t” do, there’s still a path forward. My goal in life now I have retired from competitive sport is help others as I have been and to redefine what’s possible for people facing their own challenges, disabled or not. I love that I get to do this in various roles, but in particular as an athlete mentor where I work in schools, using sport as the tool, to help young people develop their employability and social skills. I really hope now that my story inspires others to take on their own struggles with courage and to see their own worth, no matter what they’re up against.
Whether it be through writing my book, TV commentary/presenting or talks which I deliver in multiple settings such as business’ and schools, sharing my story with the world has been incredibly humbling. I’ve had people reach out to say how my story has resonated with them, how they see their own challenges mirrored in mine, and how they’ve found strength in knowing they aren’t alone. These connections remind me that purpose is about leaving an impact, however small, on those around us. By sharing our stories, we can create a ripple effect that touches others’ lives, helping them find their own path and their own sense of purpose.
Finding my purpose has been a journey of resilience, of confronting my own insecurities, and of proving to myself—and perhaps to others, too—that I am more than my limitations. Becoming a Paralympian has been an incredible achievement, but it’s the growth, the learning and the relationships I’ve built along the way that truly define me.
My purpose continues to evolve, grounded by the people who stand beside me and by my commitment to live authentically and unapologetically. To others who may be searching for their own purpose, know that it doesn’t come all at once. It comes in small victories, in shared moments and in the resilience to keep going even when the journey is hard. Surround yourself with those who lift you up, who see the best in you and who love you unconditionally. Because, in the end, finding purpose is about more than what we achieve; it’s about who we become along the way."
What's Wrong With You?: Redefining What's Possible. Unapologetically Unstoppable by Louise Hunt Skelley
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