Last weekend, I did something I haven’t done in over a decade. Something that, despite all I’ve
achieved, I’d quietly avoided. I went swimming — in public — with dozens of children around.
But before I tell you about that moment, let me take you back to where the change began:
Steel Bones Celebration Day.
A Day of Courage, Connection and Community
Just a week before, I had the privilege of speaking on a panel at Steel Bones Celebration Day. I
was asked to share my journey — a journey that’s seen me climb mountains, play wheelchair
basketball, build and scale a thriving business, and be honored with three awards, including a
Silver Award for Small Businesswoman of the Year.
A Quiet Pool, a Hidden Fear
However, since losing my leg in an accident 10 years ago, I’d found clever ways to avoid
swimming in public. I’d swim, sure — but only in quiet pools, at quiet times. I knew the
schedule of when the pool would be empty better than the lifeguards did. I’d often have the
water to myself, and while I loved the feeling of swimming, I hated the fear that came with
being seen. It wasn’t about the water. It was about vulnerability.
“Nanny, Can You Come Swimming?”
Fast forward to a family weekend at Center Parcs. My 3-year-old granddaughter turned to me
asked, “Nanny, can you come swimming?”
It wasn’t a quiet pool this time. It was a holiday centre full of children, families, noise, and eyes.
I thought about the people I’d met at Celebration Day — the amputees who talked about
reclaiming their space, their joy, their lives.
That moment wasn’t just about swimming. It was about taking back something I’d unknowingly
let fear steal. It was about showing my granddaughter — and myself — that courage doesn’t
always look like awards and achievements. Sometimes, it looks like saying yes to a swim.
Why Steel Bones Matters
The work Steel Bones does runs deeper than support — it’s about rebuilding confidence,
sharing hope, and creating a space where you feel seen and understood. Without Celebration
Day and the amazing people I met, I don’t think I would have found the courage to dive back in
— literally.
To anyone reading this who’s holding back, I want you to know: it’s okay to start small. It’s okay
to wait until you’re ready. But when you are, we’ll be here, cheering you on. Just like Steel
Bones did for me.
Tracy Saunders (and Rosie)
July 2025.
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