Who am I?

My name is Brynn and I am 16yrs old, people may already know me through my social media pages ‘Breaking down barriers with Brynn.’ I live in Shetland with my mom and sister. I have a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, severe asthma and I also have fixed ankle contractures which means I rely on a wheelchair to get around.

What am I doing? 

In May 2022 I have set myself a challenge where I am going  to attempt to push myself in my wheelchair along the Hadrians Wall 84 mile trail. I will have a support team with me who will help to get me over the stiles and help me with some of the more challenging sections. I don’t know if this has ever been attempted in a wheelchair before, but I’m determined to break down those barriers and complete this impossible challenge. 

Big shoutout to my mom Kim Hauxwell and fellow OS champ Dave Wilson (GreatNorthDave) for helping to organise/plan this challenge and being part of the core team, along with Charis, Holly and Susan from Ability Shetland and also my Uncle Chris. Thank you to YHA for providing us with accessible accommodation for me and rooms for the whole team. Northumberland National Park for agreeing to support us during the challenge and also allowing us to be part of the 1900th birthday celebrations.

Why am I doing this?

Ever since I was 12 years old I have dreamt about completing the Hadrians Wall 84 mile trail after seeing some parts of the wall in my wheelchair and visiting some of the museums. I always thought this dream was impossible and people still tell me that it is and that I’m crazy for even thinking about doing it. I am going to attempt this challenge to raise money for Ability Shetland, a charity that provides support to people all over Shetland, from childrens clubs, sports clubs, art clubs, boat trips, going on walks and the use of adapted equipment for locals and visitors to use to get outside and explore what Shetland has to offer. In 2019 Ability Shetland helped me to rediscover the great outdoors and also my freedom. They gave me the chance to use one of their all terrain Mountain Trike wheelchairs and opened up a whole new world to me. With Ability Shetlands help and by using their Mountain trike I was able to fundraise and raise money to purchase my very own active wheelchair. Now I have the freedom and with the help of an amazing team I can finally complete this challenge that I have been dreaming about. 

My life has changed so much since 2019 and it is because of Ability Shetland that I have been able to get outside and see sights I never thought I would see with my family and friends. My family have now become official OS Getoutside Champions and I have also been recognised by Pride of Scotland and Young Scot for my previous fundraising, none of this we set out to do or ever thought possible. 

To say thank you to Ability Shetland and to ensure that clubs can continue to help others reach their full potential, so far I have volunteered over 1100 hours with this charity and through fundraising I have already raised over £10,000 for them. 

All money raised from this fundraiser will go to Ability Shetland sports clubs to enable them to continue helping and providing support to the people of Shetland and visitors from far and wide. The sport clubs are fully inclusive and open to everyone, helping to keep people active, to feel part of a team and the community. They provide people access to Boccia, walking Rugby, badminton and swimming to name just a few sports. Ability Shetland are still very much part of my everyday life and I attend their adaptive cycling sessions and we are currently working on starting a Wheelchair racing club, a sport that is currently not available in Shetland and that is becoming a big part of my life.

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