Kenyan-born ex-Paralympian Anne Olympia Wafula was recently named among UK’s most influential disabled people in a list of 100 people.
Anne at the zenith of her career worked with British Athletics.
The Shaw Trust Power 100 named her as one of the people in the UK who are a source of inspiration to millions of British nationals.
“Anne Wafula MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) challenges misconceptions about disability. Athlete, author, disability and inclusion champion, and sporting ambassador; Anne inspires achievement and excellence through motivational talks that encourage others to overcome difficulties and maximise their potential,” Power 100 stated.
Speaking of her recognition by Shaw Trust Power 100, Anne said that she feels stronger in the togetherness of other people with disability.
She described the recognition as “humbling and amazing.
“It’s humbling to be on the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List 2020, in the politics and law category,” she said.
She added that she is happy she has been able to do something to fight for the rights of the disabled.
“I find it difficult to sit and see unfairness and exclusion go on. So, the small role I play in presenting disability issues in a way that could dispel negative stereotypes and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities is crucial,” she opined.
Anne stunned the world in 2004 when she became the first sub-Saharan wheelchair racer at the Paralympics.
Born in 1969, she got paralyzed at the age of two years from polio.
She is now an ardent disability right advocate fighting for the inclusion of persons living with disabilities.
This has earned her a seat as a Board member of UK Athletics, British Paralympics Assassination, Active Essex and Sports Chaplaincy UK.
The Queen of England awarded Anne an MBE in 2014 for her selfless in charity work and disability sport.
In 2018, York St John University awarded her an Honorary Doctorate.
iNews also recognized her among the 100 leading Black women in the world.