Nottinghamshire Paralympian Ollie Hynd is hoping to inspire a new generation of champions by encouraging other young people with disabilities to follow their sporting dreams.
The 21-year-old swimmer has nine gold medals to his name to date, including one from the London 2012 Paralympics, and has become a world star, despite suffering from neuromuscular myopathy.
He has never let his disability stop him being successful in or out of the pool, a message Sutton in Ashfield sportsman was keen to share with the pupils at Sutherland House Autism School, a Carlton branch of the East Midlands autism charity.
Ollie brought along his medal collection, including his most recent gold medal from the summer’s IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.
The visit is part of the East Midland Autism School’s diversity week initiative, which is an awareness project with the message idea that “it is okay to be different”.
Ann Stewart, deputy head of Sutherland House, said: “Ollie’s support with our diversity work has a big impact on the children.”
Video: Ollie Hynd talks about the importance of sport
Ollie said: “It’s nice for me to come and share some of the difficulties I’ve had. These kids can apply what I tell them to what they are doing.
“They might think that things are challenging but that’s what life is about but it’s about pushing and challenging yourself.”
One pupil at the school was especially delighted to meet his idol, 19-year-old Joseph Valentine:
Video: Joseph Valentine tells Notts TV about meeting his idol, Ollie
