Northern Soul

Some champions are born, some are made and some have far more circuitous routes. Northern Soul’s Andy Groves meets Jon Gildea and gets behind the story, the training and the ambition of the Sale-based aspiring Paralympian.

Watching the Winter Olympics got me wondering what it is that sets Olympians apart from the rest of us.  All those clean-cut daredevil types at the top of their game.  But Paralympic sport always makes me think about the back story.  What is their disability? How much does it impact on their life? How did they get it? Were they born with it? Did they have an accident? How do they fund their life and training? How dedicated do they have to be? How do they feel about their disability? And just how tough is it to get in the team and then qualify for the games?  Continue reading >>