Driving Ambition Brings Girdlers’ Medallion Award for Stephen

Stephen Wagland’s delight was evident at the recent Girdlers’ Company Prizegiving Ceremony where he was awarded the Girdlers’ Medallion.

The Girdlers’ Medallions are awarded to individuals for being outstanding in their own individual circumstances and who, in the opinion of the Girdlers’ Company would be worthy recipients.

The awards have been given for the last 15 years “to reward and encourage physical, moral and academic endeavour amongst mostly young people.

Stephen’s achievement in not only passing his driving test but also his pass plus has had a significant impact in his pursuit of a place in the Paralympics with World Class Start Squad for the British Equestrian Federation.

 ”My Driving Ambition”

17-year-old Stephen Wagland’s dream is to compete in the 2012 Paralympics.  Stephen was delighted to have recently been spotted by the British Equestrian Federation who have asked him to join their World Class Start Squad which is set up to identify hopefuls for the Paralympics. 

“I believe that each of us shapes their own destiny and I just love the feeling that I have been ‘selected’ for this challenge and that I need to ‘fight’ for my opportunity to shine.  It’s every young person’s dream to represent your country in a sport you love and I could be performing in my own capital city, London.”

Stephen was born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a rare medical condition characterised by short limbs and stature and extreme pain in the hips and the knees.  Difficulty with walking and premature osteoarthritis further impedes mobility. 

“A wheelchair has been my only means of getting around since I was at secondary school and I have always valued my independence.  I remember coming with my father to Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Mobility Centre for advice on how to get me and my wheelchair in and out of the car and then I came back to learn to drive for myself.”

All teenagers want to drive but for Stephen it is crucial.  “It was very difficult at school watching the other children play football and knowing that I would never be able to join in.  It is all too easy to feel isolated and marginalised.  I am naturally very competitive and needed to find a way to express myself and excel at something.  Then, I became involved with horses and, in particular, the art of dressage – it was then that I found my passion and goal in life.”

With support from the Mobility Centre, Stephen was delighted to have passed his driving test in January 2009 and then his pass plus in November 2009 at the Centre and have the opportunity to learn how to drive and become more independent. “My family have been great in ferrying me around over the years but they have their own lives to lead and I will need my own transport if I am to meet the stringent training programme and have a real chance of competing.  Driving and dressage demand many of the same skills – concentration, discipline, awareness and multi-tasking, not to mention the fact that a horse has an extra dimension of having a mind of its own!”