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Q:  Where were you born and brought up and what made you become a  physiotherapist?

A:  I was born in East Yorkshire, and grew up in Scarborough.  I decided whilst I was at school that I wanted to be a Chartered Physio, but
     didn't think I would end up specialising in sport then.  I was more interested in working with children, and didn't want a conventional 9-5
     office-based job.

Q: Where did you train?

A:  Guys Hospital, London.   

Q:  I believe it was a long held ambition of yours to be a physiotherapist at  the Olympics.  Why?

A:  I became interested in working in sport once I'd been qualified a couple of years.  I'd always been a keen sports person myself
     (although not particularly good at anything!) and started to work with my local rugby club Scarborough RUFC) as an additional job along
     side my full-time NHS job.  I remember being interviewed and saying that if I was going to get involved with sport then I'd aim high
     and hope one day to go to the Olympics.  The rugby club thought it was great and encouraged my development..  In 2002, I did it, as I  
     was the Chief Physio to the Great Britain  Winter Olympic team in Salt Lake City.  

Q:  What made you become interested in disability sports and how did you come to be involved in the Paralympics?

A:  I didn't really become aware of disability sports until the late 90s when I was asked by a colleague if I could work at the Wheelchair
     Tennis  Nationals in Sheffield.  I really enjoyed it and found it challenged my thinking around sports physiotherapy practices.  Around the
     same time I was working at Brunel University as a Physiotherapy Lecturer.  One of my students, Ann Wilde, was in the GB Womens
     Wheelchair basketball team.  The squad also trained at Brunel, so it wasn't long before they roped me in!  My first Paralympics was
     Sydney in 2000 with this team.  However in this year I also worked for the British OIympic Association at the Olympic Holding camp in
     Brisbane, so I had a very busy summer!

Q:  Do you think the Paralympics get the publicity and prominence they deserve?

A:  I'd really like to see equity in terms of the acknowledgement given to Paralympians.  A Paralympic medal is very hard won, and the
     effort that underpins it in terms of preparation and commitment is huge.  There's still a bit of the 'ahhh…hasn’t he/she done well to get
     over disability without really understanding the excellent sporting skills that are needed to deliver that performance.  I think improved
     media coverage would help (although the BBC does well, and local radio has always been very supportive) to improve the general
     public's knowledge and interest in the vast range of Paralympic sports. I'd also like to encourage equal opportunities for our sports
     stars with disabilities, so that they can gain better publicity and sponsorship. (Wouldn't it be great to have a few more Paralympians on
     'Question of Sport' for instance, or Persil doing an ad with Peter instead of Tim Henman?!!!!  
 

Q:  You are Manager of EPC in Farnborough as well as being a  Chartered Physiotherapist.   How do you manage to fit everything in?  

A:   It’s all a bit mad at times, but we have a very hardworking and supportive staff team at EPC which helps to allay the business worries
      when we are away. I guess I'm also quite organized, although some might question this as I do keep a lot of plates spinning at times!

Q:  What are the main responsibilities and problems for the Chief  Physiotherapist at the Paralympics?  

A:  The main responsibility is to provide the best support to the athletes that I can so that they can deliver their best performances. The
      problems vary but are usually associated with the behind- the-scenes preparations and considerations that need to be addressed, or
      pre-empted, without the athletes knowing there's a issue!

Q:  What would you say are the main differences between the role of a  physiotherapist at the Olympics and that of a physiotherapist at
     the Paralympics?  

A:  I think the level of service should be exactly the same – it should be excellent and provide whatever is needed. When I am recruiting I
     usually say that it's harder to do the Paralympics as the therapist not only has to be a sports expert but he/she also needs to have a
     good knowledge and experience of some of the associated issues of long term disability.  Personally, I think working with Paralymics is
    a step up from the Olympics, and is professionally much more challenging and rewarding. It shouldn't be regarded as an easy route to
     attend a major games by any sports professional.

Q:  You are married to Paralympic champion quad wheelchair tennis  player, Peter  Norfolk.  Do you manage to see him play much?

A:  Being married to an athlete has given me even more insight into what's needed to help someone achieve sporting excellence - it’s a
     24 hr job, 7 days a week for both of us.  I think it helps that I have previous knowledge of elite sport as I understand the pressures that go
     with this territory, and know that we have to make significant compromises if Peter is to remain at the top.  

     I do travel with Peter quite frequently as I take the role of his Personal Manager – this encompasses a physio role, logistics and travel
     planning, hitting with him as a warm-up partner, videoing and analysing his matches, being his number 1 supporter, and sometimes
     applying psychology! We have a very close relationship in sport, at work and also of course at home.  We need to be quite strict about
     protecting 'our' time in the evenings and at weekends, but make sure that we get quality rest and relaxation otherwise we would burn out.

Q:  Can you tell us what it is like to actually be there at the  Paralympics ?

A:  As a physio I get to see a lot of airports, sports arenas and changing rooms, and little else of the country I'm in. It's actually not a very
     glamorous lifestyle, but then the role is to be backstage and provide support to the athletes, so it's what you'd expect too. Often we work
    in quite difficult environments which challenge the ability to provide a quality service, and need to work very long hours to meet all the
     needs of all the sports.  The best reward of all though is when an athlete that you've worked with closely, does well and achieves. This
     doesn't always mean a medal, sometimes it’s the achievement of a PB (personal best), or just the attainment of a goal. It is always
     exciting to be selected to be a part of a team, and I am always tremendously proud to wear the GB tracksuit and represent my country.

Q:  Do you get to see much of the places in the world that you visit in your  capacity as physiotherapist?

A:  Mostly I come away from countries wanting to go back on holiday so that I can really see what that country and people are like! Usually
     when traveling with a sport either as an athlete or support team, there is a little time off, but also there's an important reason for being
     there and a job to do, so sightseeing would be a distraction.   

Q:  Do you think there are enough facilities and encouragement for young  people with disabilities to get  involved in sport?  

A:  Its improving slowly, but I would like to see more integration so that there is easy access for anyone with disability to have a go. People
    should not be scared of sport and exercise. I do think access to facilities has improved, but now I'd like to see more quality coaching.
     Anyone with potential for getting involved in disability sport (athlete or coach) needs to having an open mind and be prepared to have a
     go with an individual.  Nothing is impossible, sometimes it just needs a different approach to find the solution.

Q:  Would you encourage more people with disabilities to get involved in  sports ?  What would you say are the chief benefits?

A:  As a Physio, of course, I have to say yes! The benefits of regular exercise are so important to general health and well-being. The
    benefits are numerous and on many different levels, The drawbacks are few if sport and exercise is undertaken safely and sensibly.  
     My recommendation would be to give a few sports a try to find out what you like. Remember that no one is good at anything until they
     Have practiced, but until you have a go you won't know if you can do it, or whether it's something that you enjoy.  

     We have an amazing opportunity with the 2012 Paralympics coming to London, as this is an incentive and a big chance to push
    disability sports forward. Now's the time to influence development of facilities, access and support as there is national expectation for
     GB to perform well.