2 minute read
Heading for the World Transplant Games in Perth, Australia
Andrea Draper
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I'm not wishing to boast, but I'm bursting with pride, as I recently received an email informing me that I'd been selected to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the World Transplant Games in Perth , Australia, next April. Before I got the email, I thought even if I am selected I won't go as it's so expensive, but the minute I got the email, I started to look at a training regime! I'm not sure that I can describe the pride that the whole team feels when they are selected. Being able to represent your country is simply amazing; it's a shame that I needed a liver transplant to be eligible, but what a long way we have come from diagnosis to medals!
I had my transplant in March 2014 and the following year, I took part in my very rst Transplant Games, which was held in Newcastle. Since then, I've only missed one and that was for a family commitment . It's hard to explain the joy of taking part as part of a team of fellow transplantees; all of us delighted that we can compete, some will achieve more than others but we can all take part. We meet fellow recipients from other parts of the UK and often Europe, we compete, socialise and support each other. There is an opening, closing and donor run (walk, if you are so inclined) which all celebrate the gift of life and include representatives of the donor family network. The annual event is simply inspiring. Every year, I try a different sport; I was encouraged to pick up tennis after 40 years of not playing. I turned up at the Games with a few coaching sessions under my belt and lots of optimism. Everyone was very kind but I didn't win! However, I did get the bug, so I joined a club and the rest, as they say, is history. This year the games took place in Leeds, which was the rst games since lockdown. I came away with 4 medals and covid - not my greatest moment!
Undeterred, I donned the Great Britain and Northern Ireland kit and headed off to Radley College in Oxford to participate in the European Games. These games are self selected, but it's an opportunity to meet teams from all over Europe, France, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, to name but a few. Putting on the kit is a very special moment, winning a medal and
