4 days ago
Nailsea teacher competes in powerchair race across Europe
A language teacher is competing against three others in a powered wheelchair race from London to northern Strachecky, 41, from Nailsea, will have to navigate cities, borders, public transport, and accessibility barriers, all while taking on daily challenges – to reach Turin first for the chance to win €1,000 (£870).Race founder and wheelchair manufacturer Freedom One Life said it wanted to challenge outdated narratives around mobility and Strachecky, who set off on Monday, said: "I've decided to live life to the fullest – and what better way to do that than by racing across Europe."
The mother of two, who teaches Spanish, said: "I want to show that with the right tools and support, anyone can live a full and active life, and I like challenging common misconceptions about powerchair users."
Freedom One Life founder Alex Papanikolaou said: "I constantly hear how stressful and inaccessible travel is to disabled people, so I wanted to make a big and bold statement and really show what's possible. "With the right equipment, planning and support, we can lead the adventure."
Mr Papanikolaou said: "The four competitors we've chosen each bring something totally unique and I can't wait to see how they take on this challenge."They're not just racing across Europe, they're changing the conversation around what freedom and accessible travel really looks like."
