Photo: Good News Network / SWNS
A 49-year-old Paralympic gold medalist, Melanie Barratt, became the first blind woman to swim across the English Channel.
Barratt completed the challenge under time. She swam from Shakespeare Beach in England to Cap Gris Nez Beach in France in 12 hours and 20 minutes, 2 hours faster than the expected 14 hours.
Barrett's love for the water began when she started swimming with the British Blind Sport charity.
Then, her passion for competitive swimming quickly transformed into a new love for open-water swimming.
Barrett said, “Life is incredibly difficult being blind, and it’s very limiting, but sport and open-water swimming have given me a newfound confidence and made me proud of who I am.”
She hopes her accomplishment inspires others to push themselves and follow their dreams.
Source: Good News Network