A girl has undergone numerous surgeries throughout her life after she was born with a condition that prevented her from moving.
Heidi Rogerson was born with developmental dysplasia of the hip which meant as a baby she couldn't move or crawl. She was later diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome - a condition which causes all her joints to dislocate.
In the following years the 14-year-old from North Wales was further diagnosed with Beals-Hecht Syndrome, cerebral palsy, scoliosis of the spine and miserable malalignment syndrome. Heidi has undergone a number of surgeries throughout her life at Alder Hey Children's Hospital but has still been told it would be an "impossible feat" to follow her dreams.
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But the teenager has defied the odds stacked against her to prove her doubters wrong by learning to swim. Her proud family hope her story will inspire other children to achieve their goals with Heidi aiming for Paralympic success in the future.
She first stepped into a swimming pool at the Jade Jones Pavilion when she was 10 years old. After seeing Heidi in the water, she was encouraged by the staff to join their "learn to swim" programme straight away.
Fast forward a few years and the Flintshire teen has has rocketed through Aura’s Learn to Swim programme to become a competent swimmer. She recently became one of Flint Swimming Club’s newest members.
Heidi said that swimming was her favourite hobby and dreams one day of becoming a Paralympic swimmer.
Alison told North Wales Live : “She moved from the disability swimming programme to mainstream lessons and has never looked back. She has completed all the waves in the swimming programme and has really surprised us all.
"Everyone has been so supportive, and the team at the leisure centre has been absolutely amazing. Lots of barriers are put up for children with disabilities and I hope that Heidi will inspire other children to achieve their goals. As her mum, I am so, so proud.”
Wes Billings, swimming coordinator at Aura's Jade Jones Pavilion, admitted that he will “really miss" having Heidi in swimming lessons. He said: “It has been a pleasure to teach Heidi and watch her development in the pool. Heidi’s long term goal of wanting to become a Paralympian swimmer has given her the drive and determination to work tirelessly over the years to improve her swimming.
"She has broken barriers and defied all the odds. I am so proud to have played a part in her swimming story and can’t wait to see her continue working hard towards her ultimate goal. Everyone at Jade Jones Pavilion is so proud of you."
