Fran Williamson

I suppose this first entry was inspired by Martyn Sibley from www.Martynsibley.com.

When I thought of this year's new years eve, I didn't relate it to the end of a decade - until tonight.  Its hard to believe that we've gone through a whole 10 years of the twenty-first century.  And, since I decided not to do anything to celebrate this year, I have had time to reflect over where those 10 years have gone!
This time 10years ago I was an average 14 year old girl, at school, living with my mum, with no responsibilities other than getting myself to school.  I was already swimming, I had a junior world record but didn't really imagine that I'd go very far in the swimming world.  Funny how, seemingly, fast everything moves.

• Gained my place on the Great Britain swimming team
• Attended one European Championships, two World Championships, two Paralympic Worldcups, and two Paralympic games.
• Done my GCSEs - Badly
• Given up on three A'levels
• Got two B grades in a AVCE in Health and Social Care (A'level Equil)
• Moved out to live independently
• Learned to drive
• Been turned down to do a degree in Social Work for stupid reasons
• Gained a First Class Degree in Social Policy
• Gained friends and lost friends
• Had four operations - two on my ankle, two on my shoulder (they better get it right first time round if I need anything else done.
• Learnt that I am incredibly stubborn, competitive and apposed to giving up the fight
• Discovered that I love all kinds of music
• Let a Paralympic gold medal slip through my fingers.  But gained 4 silvers and 2 bronze instead
• Gained much more self-confidence
• Gained greater respect for pain (however forced)
• Started speaking publically about my experiences.

2009 has been tough, having to take over a whole year out from swimming due to injury.  But as we head into the 37th minute of 2010, it is time to look forward to getting everything back on track.
Its going to be a hard working year, but hopefully it'll be well worth it!