TGt Meets… Stephanie Millward MBE

Ahead of her appearance at Hamilton Grace Apartments' official new apartments opening, we spoke to inspirational Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Millward, about her background and how she remains positive and motivated even in the face of adversity.

Can you tell us a bit of background about yourself?

I was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and because it was so hot my family went swimming as a way of cooling down! We swam for Saudi Sharks and came back to the UK when I was 10 because of the Gulf war.

At what age did you first become interested in swimming?

I started swimming when I was 4 and have medals from before I was 5 years old! At the age of 8 I was invited to the Junior Olympics which occurred in Riyadh the capital of Saudi Arabia. I swam 100m backstroke and won a gold medal! This was then my dream; I needed to win a proper Olympic gold medal!

What’s been the greatest highlight of your career so far?

Paralympic 100m backstroke gold medal!

Who do you cite as your sporting idol?

Mark Foster! I wanted perfect swimming techniques like his.

What’s your favourite inspirational quote and why?

Never, never, never give up.  I have a small plaque in my living room that just reminds me that even when times are hard you must keep going and never give up. Life is too precious to cut it short!

Did life change for you after you were diagnosed with MS?

Hugely. I have three lives; 1. Life before MS, 2. depressed life before diagnosis, then 3. Diagnosis, name for the symptoms then aim and drive for the Paralympics!

What advice would you give to any young, aspiring athletes with a disability?

Believe in yourself and in your dreams. You can do anything if you just believe it! Don’t let anything get in your way or in the way of your dreams!

How do you like to spend your time off?

Reading, writing, eating(!) and horse riding or inspiring people!

What’s the most enjoyable or rewarding part of your job?

Seeing the smile on other people’s faces when they realise they could chase their dreams too!

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to do one more Paralympics – Tokyo 2020 and inspire many people on the run up to it! 

I have won 701 medals so far and these have been attached to a manikin which is so exciting because it shows many years of hard work!