Meet our Everyday Superheroes
This Series is for all the unsung Superheroes who boldly face what life throws at them & are looking to take on super sporting challenges with their own unique superpowers! Plus, a big shout-out to their trusty Sidekicks who are by their side through thick & thin.
A huge thank you to our below participants for sharing their super story to show that the Superhero Series is for everybody.
Superhero: Jibreel
Hometown: Birmingham
Your chosen mission: Jibreel, has attended at least four or five Summer & Winter Superhero missions. He has actively participated in his Superhero school club & recently even climbed a mountain!
Your disability & how it challenges you: Jibreel has cerebral palsy. He tackles his challenges head-on with determination & perseverance!
Sporting super-stripes: Jibreel loves being involved in school PE & sports, & he particularly enjoys playing Boccia.
Why you want to take part: Superhero Tri has allowed Jibreel to embrace his physical superpowers & celebrate his achievements. It lets him share his journey with his classmates, the school community, & the world!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: This year, Jibreel inspired his entire class to take part in Superhero Tri. His enthusiasm & dedication are making a lasting impact. Jibreel’s dad said, “The Superhero Tri is awesome & raises awareness of disability while celebrating what we can achieve.”.
Gadget/s of choice: His amazing arms for 'power push ups'
Your Superpower: Motivation!
Superhero: Jolie
Earth years: 22
Hometown: Shoreham-by-sea
Your chosen mission: Completing the full Superhero Tri powered by Marvel this year was an incredible experience. I’ve been building up to this achievement over the past few years!
Your disability & how it challenges you: Sports are a significant part of my life where my challenges fade away, allowing me to feel my best.
Sporting super-stripes: I love doing our local Lancing Green Park Run every Saturday!
Why you want to take part: I enjoy the challenge, & finishing it makes me feel proud of myself!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: Participating in the Superhero Tri has been fantastic for meeting new people & enjoying sports together.
Your Kryptonite: Swimming
Gadget/s of choice: None
Your Superpower: I’m very determined!
Superhero: Meria
Earth years: 50
Hometown: Reading, UK
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri powered by Marvel
Your disability & how it challenges you: I have a genetic variant of Spinocerebellar Ataxia. This affects muscle control. I enjoy walking & dancing with a Sidekick.
Sporting super-stripes: Outdoor swimming, Ceroc dancing, & Pilates are my passions. I love the swimming, even in the winter.
Why you want to take part: Superhero Tri was amazing in every way. It is such a SUPER community of Superheroes & Sidekicks.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: The positivity. It will superpower me until the next Superhero event
Your Kryptonite: Tiredness
Gadget/s of choice: My wetsuit, tandem trike & my carbon fibre rollator. Not forgetting my trusty Sidekick!
Your Superpower: Never giving up! My motto: use it or lose it.
Superhero: Emily
Earth years: 16
Hometown: Eastbourne East Sussex
Your chosen mission: At Home Winter Wonderwheels 2023
Your disability & how it challenges you: I have a rare genetic disorder called SPATA5, with only five cases known in the UK & 80 worldwide. It affects my whole body, making me a wheelchair user & causing visual & hearing impairments. I need full-time support for daily tasks. Despite these challenges, I love standing in my sling & dancing with help. I rely on my strong sense of smell & touch due to my sensory impairments. My positive attitude, curiosity, & strength help me get through. I focus on what I can do!
Sporting super-stripes: I love standing in my sling & riding my adapted trike. Swimming makes me feel like a mermaid & brings me so much joy!
Why you want to take part: I wanted to be a part of something cool & wanted a challenge!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: Participating in the At Home Superheroes event was amazing. Being part of a team was a special experience that showed my friends & family I can still be myself. 😊
Your Kryptonite: Due to scoliosis & dystonia, I experience a lot of daily pain. Staying still & not changing position is particularly challenging for me.
Gadget/s of choice: I love my standing sling because it gives me freedom. I also enjoy using my standing frame & adaptive trike.
Your Superpower: I'm truly the best non-verbal communicator; with just my expressive eyebrows & big blue eyes, I can convey exactly what I need & make people understand me.
Superhero: Toby
Earth years: 9
Hometown: Outwood, Surrey
Your chosen mission: My family & I love taking part in the Superhero Series events. I've completed the Superhero Tri – Sprint & twice circled the lake in the Winter Wonderwheels 10k!
Your disability & how it challenges you: I have adrenoleukodystrophy, a rare degenerative brain disease. My body's inability to digest fats is suppressing my nervous system. I use a wheelchair & my latest gadget is a feeding tube.
Why you want to take part: My family & I founded "The Make Way Foundation" to help other children with funding wheelchairs & mobility equipment. It's our way of doing something meaningful together after my diagnosis, while also raising awareness & much needed fundraising!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: I love the Superhero Series because I can take on all the challenges. During the Superhero Tri, I went in an inflatable boat for the swim leg, but halfway through, I jumped out & swam the rest despite my challenges. 😊
Your Kryptonite: Deterioration from my condition, but laughter is my strength!
Gadget/s of choice: I love my standing sling because it gives me freedom. I also enjoy using my standing frame & adaptive trike.
Your Superpower: I'm truly the best non-verbal communicator; with just my expressive eyebrows & big blue eyes, I can convey exactly what I need & make people understand me.
Superhero: Ash
Earth years: 41
Hometown: Hereford, UK
Your chosen mission: I've taken part in many At Home Superheroes challenges & have included my family too.
Your disability & how it challenges you: I have Keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition, nerve damage in my right ankle, & a disability in my lower left leg from a tropical disease I contracted during military service.
Sporting super-stripes: After leaving the military, I joined the Invictus Games Foundation, where I earned a medal in alpine ski racing within the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team & took on challenges like triathlons, half marathons, mountain bike races, & an Arctic Expedition.
Why you want to take part: I want to test myself & spread the word about what can be done even with a disability, & with these wonderful inclusive events, my family can get involved with me.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: I love these events & the strong turnout of people pushing boundaries, proving that anything is possible. I hope to keep participating in them for years to come!
Your Kryptonite: Bright sunlight & rain!
Gadget/s of choice: I always wear protective glasses or shades, no matter the weather!
Superhero: Sally
Earth years: 39
Hometown: Wokingham, Berkshire
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri 19, 23 & Winter Wonderwheels 19, 22, 23 & At Home events. I intend to do the full Tri this year! 😊
Your disability & how it challenges you: Because of dysautonomia & EDS, I can't stand for long & often deal with dislocations.
Sporting super-stripes: Playing & coaching wheelchair rugby with the Berkshire Banshees!
Why you want to take part: I LOVE the personal challenge, & also the fun of the day, especially when I take part with my children, family & friends!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: My first Superhero Tri gave me the confidence to try other events like a half marathon last year. Maybe a full marathon is next for me!
Your Kryptonite: Swimming & hot weather!
Gadget/s of choice: Recumbent trike called ‘Toothless’ & my wheelchair called ‘Freeda’.
Your Superpower: My children inspire me to be my best & make them proud.
Superhero: Susan
Earth years: 64
Hometown: Belfast, Antrim
Your chosen mission: At Home Superheroes & At Home Winter Wonderwheels 22 & 23
Your disability & how it challenges you: Healing misaligned broken bones presents daily physical challenges.
Sporting super-stripes: At Home Superheroes & At Home Winter Wonderwheels 22 & 23.
Why you want to take part: To work on my physical, mental, & emotional recovery.
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: It's fantastic to tackle challenges, work on recovery, & strengthen muscles through regular training. It also boosts my mood & concentration.
Your Kryptonite: Facing challenges!! SUPER Sidekicks & husband Julian keeps me motivated to keep going!
Gadget/s of choice: No gadgets for me! It took 15 years of hard work to get here.
Your Superpower: Staying determined & positive.
Superhero: Deborah
Earth years: 56
Hometown: Gloucester
Your chosen mission: Superhero Tri 22, 23 & signed up for 24!
Your disability & how it challenges you: I have hyper mobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis & other physically challenging conditions.
Sporting super-stripes: Superhero Tri 22 & 23, Royal Marines Association Rehabilitation Triathlon 23, Winter Wonderwheels 23, Ride London 30, Poppy Ride 30 & Princes Trust Palace to Palace 45!
Why you want to take part: It keeps motivated to stick to my exercise routine!
Superhero Series’ lasting impact: I LOVE the Superhero Series. It’s a day where Superheroes can challenge themselves & enjoy sport.
Your Kryptonite: The uncertainty of my condition
Gadget/s of choice: Training fins & tow float, & my trusty recumbent ETrike.
Your Superpower: Resilience & resourcefulness!