Name:
Aileen Neilson
| Aileen Neilsen
After having surgery and radiotherapy in 1974, for a spinal chord tumour, I maintained a very active, normal life. From 1990, there was a gradaul deterioration in my lower limbs, until in 2005, I became a permanent wheelchair user.
I was born and brought up on a farm in Strathaven. I attended a local primary and secondary school and went on to train as a primary school teacher, and have taught at Bent Primary School for the past 14 years. Having curled from the age of 12 to 17, it was only in November 2004, that I took up wheelchair curling. After joining Braehead Wheelchair Curling Club, I progressed to the Development Squad and was then selected to play for Scotland/GB at the end of 2006. During this time I competed at international events in Prague, Norway, Germany, USA, Canada and Switzerland.
I have competed for Scotland at the 2007 World Championships in Sweden, winning Bronze and at the 2008 Championships, where we gained seventh place and four crucial, paralympic points.
Having started to train at my local gym, I now attend the West of Scotland Institute of Sport in Glasgow, with excellent support from the trainers, developing my strength and conditioning, in preparation for Vancouver 2010. I will also participate in some 10k races as part of my fitness programme.
Goals for the future include – participating in the 2009 World Championships and to be represent Team GB at the Paralympic Games in Vancouver 2010, gaining a podium position.
For me, curling is a very friendly, sociable sport, which can also be extrememly competitive and I have received a lot of support from my coach and the following organisations – UK Sport, Sports Scotland, Scottish Institute of Sport, SWCA, Scottish Disability Sport, British Curling, and the British Paralympic Association – all of whom I would like to thank.
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