My sporting life has not been a very long one so far and I'm definitely a late developer lol but if you had told me 8 years ago that I would be a bowls player that had won national disabled competitions, an ambassador for Disability Bowls England, become an active together champion to try and inspire others to join in and enjoy sport and to be able to talk to a number of people about my experiences I would have said no way. 8 years ago I was at my lowest point I couldn't see any future and was in a mental hospital, it was a very dark place I was in mental health wise and I had tried to check out of life but with the help I received then and still do was / is great from not only health professionals but from my partner, family and my bowls family helped me get back from that dark place, it's amazing looking back that since I left the hospital my active life changed completely. I joined disability bowls england (the best move ever) and over night my bowls game improved 100% I became more confident I was able to talk about my feelings and problems for once with other people who had been there too and understood. And when I won my first competition and getting picked to be captain the feeling of pride is awesome. I have made so many friends through bowls and played at some very different clubs indoors and outdoors. I still have down days and some days it's hard to leave the house but when you are active you forgot about things and it does give me a lift, so I felt that maybe it would be worth giving something back that's why I became a bowls coach, an active together champion and a disability bowls Ambassador to go to clubs and promote disability bowlers and amazingly today I was asked if I would join the Disability Bowls England management committee as the Lead Ambassador which I have agreed to do. It's amazing how your life can change so dramatically and lead you down another road. My bowls future looks bright and I hope I can share my experiences with you. Bowls saved my life and being active really does do you good in so many ways.