I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BECOME...

Life can surprise you – at any age. Just take it from these women

- ELLIE FENNELL

AN AMPUTEE LIONESS FOOTBALLER

Sarah Haskins, 43, from Rochester, is a senior scientist and mum of three.

Having been born with no calf bone in my right leg and a shortened, slightly curved tibia, I'd been unable to walk without a prosthesis fitted to the natural shape of my 'little leg' since childhood. However, by my late 30s, poor hip alignment caused by the prosthesis was becoming increasingly painful. I was struggling to walk even short distances, which made life very difficult as a mum of three energetic young boys, then aged 11, seven and three. So in January 2022, aged 40, I made the decision to have my lower leg amputated.

Surprisingly, the amputation had a positive effect on how I felt about my disability. I found peace with my appearance, starting to wear dresses and shorts for the first time. That mindset shift also opened my eyes to other options like sport, which had previously felt closed to me.

In late 2023, Instagram posts about a new England women's amputee football team grabbed my attention. Outfield players are single-leg amputees, who use crutches as they play without their prosthetics; goalkeepers have an upper limb difference.

It sounded great, but in my 40s, I felt too old and too busy juggling motherhood and full-time work as an NHS scientist to get involved. However, I messaged a few players to wish them luck and one, Annabel, replied, 'Come and give it a go!'

It's unlike me to say no to anything without trying it, so I went to find out more at a fan event in June 2024. While I loved watching my boys play football, I had no intention of ever playing myself, but before I knew it, I was kicking a ball around and had an England shirt on!