First Signs of CMT
In Years 7 and 8, I was in the top set for PE, but it was around this time that I first noticed symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. I began “flapping” my feet when I walked, though at first I could control it if I concentrated. My hands also grew weaker, but these changes were put down to a growth spurt and clumsiness. By the end of Year 8, the symptoms became more pronounced, leading to multiple doctor visits. After nerve conduction tests, I was diagnosed with CMT at 14.
The condition progressed quickly, seemingly linked to my rapid growth spurt that took me from average height to 6ft 2 within a few years. By late Year 8 and into Year 9, school and sport became especially hard. Muscle wastage in my ankles caused foot drop, leading to an odd gait and frequent tripping. My fingers weakened too, making writing and note-taking exhausting.
I kept pushing myself in sport but fell behind, often tripping or rolling my ankles during rugby and hockey. At the time, I didn’t fully come to terms with the diagnosis - I just carried on, playing off the stumbles and forcing myself to keep writing even when my handwriting was barely legible.
Adapting to CMT
After advice from doctors I decided to stop rugby outside school when I was diagnosed, as a broken bone could have accelerated the muscle degeneration I was already experiencing. I turned to triathlon - my brother had just started - as a way to stay active and slow muscle wasting. I joined Walden Junior Triathlon Club, I picked up cycling quickly, used elastic ankle supports to help my running, and worked on my weaker swimming.
In September 2014 I completed my first para-triathlon with the Arctic1 Foundation. In 2015 I went all in: 10 triathlons over the summer (including open-water and sea swims), two in a weekend, and even two in one day - raising over £2,000 for CMT UK.
In October 2015 I attended a British Triathlon Talent ID day, was classified, and began monthly training with the South-Central Regional Academy in Oxford. I also fundraised for Turbomed Orthotics, which greatly improved my stability when running.
Now, almost a decade on from my first diagnosis, I’ve learned how to adapt and live with CMT. It’s still challenging; fatigue, weakness, and balance issues are part of everyday life, but I’ve found ways to keep doing the things I love. Cycling in particular has become a huge part of that. It allows me to push myself physically and I have seen massive progress and improvement when I work hard despite my disability. I also just love the feeling of freedom when I'm out on the bike.
My time at Loughborough University has opened my eyes to the world of elite sport and the university alongside the Loughborough Cycling Academy and Loughborough Para-Sport have supported me massively throughout my time there. The support enabled me to balance my studies alongside progressing as an athlete all while helping me overcome and manage the symptoms of my disability. The sense of community and support provided by the staff is unmatched and I'm not sure where I would be today without it.
In between my studies at Loughborough University, I completed an industrial placement year working full time for ghd as a part of their Science team whilst continuing cycling. It was a tough year and taught me a lot about managing general fatigue and fatigue from my disability because of working full time alongside high training loads.
Cycling has given me freedom, fitness, and focus. It’s not just about sport, it’s a way to manage my symptoms, stay active, and challenge myself positively day to day. Living with CMT isn’t easy, but it has shaped who I am today and fuels my determination to keep pushing forward, both on and off the bike.
So whats next?
Now that I have finished University I can throw myself full time into cycling. In the short term I am going to be working very hard over the winter to build a good base and train for track nationals which will be in February 2026, then building on that to transition into the road season where my main target races will be the 2026 Road World Cups where I will hope to build on my results from this year.
Long term I want to build myself up as a permanent part of British cycling and team GB to represent my country internationally and compete in 2028 and 2032 Paralympics as well as World Cups and World Championships. My love for cycling and high level competition drives me and is a massive part of my life and I want more than anything to be able to make a career out of it.
Cycling Through CMT
Living With CMT Today
Childhood
Growing up I was always very active, through primary school I took part in pretty much all school sports including cross country running, football, cricket, hockey and playing rugby outside school for Wendens Ambo rugby club and horse riding. I was also slightly obsessed with exotic animals and insects.
Going into secondary school I still played rugby for both the school and Saffron Walden rugby club with my preferred position being scrum half or full back. I also played in the school hockey club and competed in cross country and 1500m running.
My Story
My journey through the diagnosis of Charcot Marie-Tooth Disease as a young teenager and how my relationship with sport has evolved.
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