Florence

Name/nickname: Florence/flo/flower

Pronouns: she/they

Year started playing/involved in wheelchair rugby? 2025

Role/discipline played? WR5s

How you got into wheelchair rugby? Curtis raved about it after my mobility said goodbye when I was working 90-110 hours a week as a care assistant and a housekeeper and became really ill. I was then diagnosed with EDS, FND, POTS, C-PTSD, non epileptic sezires, and my memory got worse and worse because of all the concussions I had due to passing out. I needed to be around people that didn’t make me feel disabled and wanted to make more friends who got it. And I love exercise but it’s difficult to find something that doesn’t exacerbate my conditions. Turns out I absolutely love it!

Favourite thing about wheelchair rugby?  Being in a team and going fast, also being around people who get it and don’t make me feel weird for being disabled.

Best moment playing wheelchair rugby?  Last session playing with people on GB and never being made to feel stupid because I have learning difficulties. People being patient and the community. Also getting better at throwing and catching and scoring goals. And slowly understanding things.

And less about Wheelchair Rugby…

Sporting hero?

Curtis Maxwell

Three words to describe me?

Silly, empathetic, resilient

About me?

I’ve spent my whole life taking care of people, my little brother has high needs autism and my mums got bipolar disorder, I love taking care of people and feeling useful and will do anything for anybody.

I was born with a cleft pallet and homeless and now live with my partner and my beloved cat. I used to have a jewllery business called artsy fartsy lesbian and still sell jewllery every now and then at stalls. I have a foundation degree in fine art and fashion and a foundation degree in law and business. I love the sea and all sea animals but can’t swim and am moving to Bristol to go to uni for occupational therapy in September!

Favorite pre game song?

Vroom vroom charlie xcx

Or highway to hell

Other sports played?

Skiing (badly), netball, cards against humanity