Swimming blind: my journey to self-acceptance

盲目游泳:我的自我接纳之旅

Lives Less Ordinary

社会与文化

2025-04-14

38 分钟
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单集简介 ...

From Paralympic pools to the English Channel, Melanie Barratt took on the toughest swim of her life — laying to rest her demons, and honouring her beloved mum. Melanie Barratt was born with congenital toxoplasmosis that left her severely visually-impaired. As a teenager she excelled academically but found it hard to keep friends. She found solace in the swimming pool where again she shone, earning a chance to represent Team GB at the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games. Despite winning gold medals at both, her confidence in the pool did not extend to her social life, where she struggled with self-loathing. One constant source of support however was her mother, who continued to inspire Melanie even after her death. It would take decades and a gruelling swim across the English Channel – earning a place in history – for Melanie finally to find peace. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Hetal Bapodra and June Christie Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784
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  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

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  • I turned my head to breathe and there was a massive one right next to my face.

  • I had this real kind of jump scare from it.

  • In the sea between England and France, there'd be monsters.

  • And this tentacles came all the way across my face and all the way down my body.

  • But I can only imagine it wasn't a stinging type or I touched the right part of it, but I didn't get stung from it.

  • Last year, British swimmer Melanie Barrett attempted to swim the English Channel,

  • something just a couple of thousand people have ever achieved.

  • It's 20 odd miles, 30 or so kilometres and extremely cold.

  • Plus, Melanie can barely see.

  • She's registered blind.

  • So she didn't know when she was about to swim into a jellyfish.