Lauren steadman: how she won't let disability hold her back
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Strictly Come Dancing have been watching Paralympian Lauren Steadman impress the judges week on week after she signed up for the 2018 series for the BBC show. Lauren, who is 25-year-old, has
taken part in three Summer Paralympics, in both swimming and the paratriathlon. While at Rio 2016 she brought home the silver for the Women’s PT4. Lauren and her partner, pro dancer AJ
Pritchard, have delivered some spectacular dance routines in the competition so far, proving there’s nothing Lauren’s disability can stop her from achieving. On her website, Lauren revealed
that she was born missing her lower right arm. The website adds: “This has challenged Lauren to be the best she can be, and she relishes the chance to overcome barriers.” She has certainly
proven this to be true. Born in Peterborough in 1992, Lauren found her passion for swimming at the age of four. WHO IS LAUREN STEADMAN? By 15, she was representing Team GB at her first
Paralympic games. Multi-talented Lauren also holds a Master’s degree in Business and Management from the University of Peterborough. A quote from Lauren on her website says “I like to think
that I raise the standard within my category, and I want to raise it again to prove that disability sport can keep pushing the boundaries.” Lauren has proven she has a sense of humour about
things as well. WHO IS LAUREN STEADMAN'S STRICTLY COME DANCING PARTNER? She has taken to social media to offer advice to aspiring Paralympians and making jokes with her 7,300 Twitter
followers. In one snap, she shared a picture of a model skeleton also without a lower right arm. “Found my twin skeleton,” Lauren said playfully. Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine show Lorraine
and AJ discussed how Lauren’s arm affected their routines. ‘NO AWKWARD TENSION’ AJ PRITCHARD HITS BACK AT DRAMA RUMOURS AJ said: “When we’re doing lifts and stuff we do have to think
differently about how we’d maybe somehow get you on top of my shoulders like we are this week, and throwing you around. Turning to Lauren, he continued: “But the thing is you just approach
everything so positive – Lauren just goes in with a clear mind, there’s no right, there’s no wrong, it’s just, ‘We’ll do it’. “You are fearless which definitely helps in the Charleston. The
lifts are a bit scary. They’re scary for me so that means they must be scary for you up there.” “That makes me feel good,” Lauren said with a smile.