Dana Brand

Age
22

Hometown
Rosyth

Branch
Disability Sport Fife

How did you get involved in sport or what would you like to get involved with?
Growing up I was an extremely active child and had the opportunity to get involved in numerous sports from a very young age. I quickly found my true love in the water and began competing as soon as I joined my local swimming club. Almost every moment when I wasn’t at school, I was in the water. This all changed at around the age of 15 when my health began to decline, and pain/injuries put me in a position where I wasn’t capable to continue the training load. I now stay active recreationally, which is extremely important for my mental health as well as my physical health, but I would love to try anything and everything I possibly can!

What motivated you to join the Young Person’s Sport panel?
As someone who has had a life revolve around sport, I knew nothing about how to stay in sport and be involved in sport when my health took a turn. University gave me the ability to explore new avenues but finding and looking for opportunities on how to get involved specifically in disability sport has seemed rather difficult/slightly overwhelming. Becoming part of the panel will allow me to help those who are in the same position and want to be a part of sport but don’t know where to start, especially when transitioning from education to their next endeavours. Being involved in sport has also been a key element to improving and maintaining my mental health. I think physical activity is fundamental in providing a positive impact to a persons overall wellbeing and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to find something that they enjoy to stay active is important. This is why I am extremely passionate about promoting sport and physical activity that is accessible and inclusive.

If you could change anything, what would you change to improve disability sport?
Sport and physical activity are widely recognised for their positive effects on mental health. However, numerous barriers including financial constraints, time, lack of confidence and social anxiety often influence participation. For those with disabilities, these barriers are combined by additional challenges, including access, transportation, discrimination, and limited awareness, among others. It is important that we try to break down these barriers so persons with disabilities have the same opportunities to receive the benefits of sport and improve their quality of life.
Although improving disability sport won’t happen overnight, providing appropriate facilities and education to affectively communicate how and where to get involved is extremely important. Additionally, I believe that media coverage is particularly valuable in bringing awareness and acceptance of disability as well as providing sporting role models for the next generation.

What are your sporting (or other) highlights?
Although I am an incredibly competitive person, I think the true highlight for me is the friends I have gained and the people I have met. I have had some incredible opportunities through sport from attending performance swim squads to meeting Olympians and holding the Olympic torch.

What are your goals and aspirations?
It is a goal of mine to explore as many new sports as I possibly can! After finishing university, my weekly routine has a lot less structure and finding a new interest is something I am really keen on doing. Alongside this more casual goal, I also aim to try and grab every opportunity I am thrown in
hopes I can pursue a career within the sport industry.

What is your best achievement, sporting or otherwise?
My greatest achievement so far has to be graduating from university. Completing a degree during a global pandemic was one hurdle on its own but dealing with unpredictable changes to my health alongside grief meant that keeping up with my university workload, schedule and assignments
proved extremely difficult. My personal tutor (Dr Lewis Macgregor) was a blessing during my time at university and provided me a place to speak and ask for adjustments/advice that ultimately made completing my dissertation and therefore my degree that little bit more accessible. I managed to not only meet the goals I set out to meet, but also obtain a first-class honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Couldn’t be prouder of how hard I worked and the grade I achieved.

Is there a role model that inspires you and why?
I do not necessarily have one role model or inspiration, however, everyone I know that I am close to has inspired me in some way. I admire those who strive to be their best selves and push to
overcome barriers and challenges that others may not see. I think it is important to notice that
sometimes little things are not always little and seeing people who you care for conquer and move
in the right direction is incredibly inspiring all on its own.