what does it mean to you to represent your country?

It’s been amazing to get the chance to represent my country in a sport that I have done since I was 3 years old. not many people in the scheme of things can say they have had that chance and when I put that kit on in Florida I hope to be able to pull out all the stops in my performance and hit every move.

Why did you want to try out for Team England Para Hip Hop?

I wanted to set myself a bit of a challenge this year. if I’m honest I hadn’t danced for about five years before I attended try-outs, mainly because a couple of people had said when I became a wheelchair user I should learn my limitations and dancing wasn’t something a wheelchair user should do. when people tell me I shouldn’t or can’t do things it tends to make me want to do them just to prove to them that I define what I can and can’t do, so after taking some time away from dance and building my confidence to compete back up again through playing wheelchair tennis, I decided to take the plunge and get back on that floor at tryouts way back in August. and that was the moment that changed everything and since then I haven’t looked back.

Name a quote that keeps you motivated.

“Hakuna Matata” – well we are competing in Disney after all and you can’t beat a

bit of wisdom from Timon and Pumba.

in all seriousness I love the following quote most of all: “shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars”

Favourite skills e.g cheer stunt, tumble or dance move.

I just love all of it – popping, locking, waacking, the lot – although if you had to push me I’d say I can do a fairly speedy turn on my wheels

If you have a disability that you would like to disclose please explain it below.

I have a few different disabilities – I was born with Ehlers danlos syndrome, a condition which means I’m very hypermobile but it also causes me to dislocate up to 70 times a day and affects me on the inside as well as the outside.

My main disability though is dystonia, a bang to the head in a car accident three years ago caused it and I became a full-time wheelchair user as a result. basically, my muscles decide to fight against each other and my limbs will go into spasm. I basically describe my body wi-fi as being more dial-up than fibre- optic because sometimes the messages from my brain to my muscles get a bit confused. it affects my head, neck, arms and grip in my hands and I have little to no feeling in my legs and arms.

Share something that makes you happy

well apart from dancing, and singing along to every musical ever written, I love to spend time on the tennis court. tennis has always been one of my favourite sports and playing wheelchair tennis gives me the feeling of freedom as I whizz around the court in my pink chair.

I’m a big Newcastle United fan too so I’m always happy when they get a win, although it’s not happening too often at the minute.

which para team are you most excited to see and why?

I can’t wait to see Para Cheer pom – I’ve been following them and their stories on Instagram and I’m really interested to see what routine they bring to the world’s floor.

How many years of experience do you have in your field?

I started dancing when I was three – ballet, tap, jazz, street, lyrical, contemporary – you name it I did it. I basically grew up in the theatre and made it my full-time career, dancing in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and on stage in various musical theatre productions, before a slight career change to become a sports presenter, broadcaster and journalist beckoned.

Which team are you apart of or have you been previously a part of?

Full-time work has kind of taken over now but I grew up dancing and performing as part of the key youth theatre, now kindred kyt, in Peterborough and performed in dance shows, pantomimes, musicals from a very young age. They were amazing times and many of us from there still keep touch to this day.

What was it like when you attended try-outs for Team England Para Hip Hop?

I was honestly petrified and had no idea what to expect, but the coaches and everyone made you feel so comfortable the minute you walked through the door. it was such a fun day and I left completely buzzing – oh and there was a little bit of aching the next day but not too much to handle.

Your favourite memory from being a part of team England Para Hip Hop.

The people I’m in the team with, we create amazing memories with each other every time we’ve met up. personally I’d say my biggest one though was getting up and showcasing our routine for the first time at FC circus in Sheffield, it was the first time I’d performed live on stage for five years, and I can tell you without the support of everyone who was on stage with me I really wouldn’t have got there – so thanks guys!

 

Are there any stunts/technique adaptations, you make which you find especially interesting?

I think for me because of my limited range of movement in my arms and the sometimes unpredictable nature of the messages my brain sends to them, I never quite know whether they are going to do they’re meant to, it’s been a real learning experience when doing the more complicated sections, especially the waacking. but I’ve worked hard out of training sessions as well to try and get my body used to move in the way I need to hit every time.

what does worlds mean to you?

A chance to go out there with a team of incredible people who all work incredibly hard all season and show the world what team England can bring to the floor.

What advice would you give to someone who was scared to try-out for team England this year?

just go for it – like I say I was petrified at first but within minutes I was on the floor giving it some sass and forgetting I was in a room full of people who were at the time complete strangers, they’re not now of course.

what will you miss about Team England Para Hip Hop and why?

my teammates – once worlds are over I honestly will miss seeing them every month

what are you most excited to experience at worlds 2019?

I mean I’m supposed to mention something about performing here but if I’m honest how could anyone not be excited about the fact that it’s all happening in Disneyworld – I’m a huge Disney fan, I know practically every Disney lyric (and can belt them out too) and every one of the cars I’ve had has been named after a Disney character – oh and I should mention every Christmas I theme the decorations on my wheelchair around frozen.

Name a team from the united kingdom and internationally that you are most excited to watch and explain why?

The UK based I can’t wait to see the intensity teams who are competing – they very kindly have let us use their gym for training sessions and I’ve seen some of their routines when we’ve been showcasing at events and I can tell everyone you’re in for a treat when they take to the floor.

internationally I honestly can’t choose, I can’t wait to see everyone perform – Australia is one of my favourite countries to visit, I go across to report from the Australian open every January and absolutely love how they actually champion their para-athletes as much as their able-bodied ones, so I can’t wait to see what they do, whichever division they are competing in.

 

Thank you for sharing your story Gemma and letting us know that the only person who can define your limitation is you

 

to follow Gemma journey go to @teamenglandpchiphop