My Sports: JOYFAITH WAITHIRA: Differently abled with abilities to life and inspire from deep waters

JOYFAITH WAITHIRA: Differently Abled With Abilities to Lift and Inspire from Deep Waters

By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@gmail.com | Image courtesy: Liz Omondi

JoyFaith Ndirangu swimming freestyle stroke at the Kenya School of Law pool. down: with her coach Leland Salano, the founder of Castle Sports and Events Limited and other swimmers

20 year old JoyFaith Waithira Ndirangu has an infectious smile that is hard to ignore even for the soul that feels battered by the hardships of life. Though differently abled, she has the ability to lift and inspire those sinking in deep waters of life, literally.

The third year Bachelor of Science in Computers student, had her legs amputated four years ago after a road accident that almost cost her life. However, she has risen above this loss and uses her hands to swim like any other swimmer who has all their limbs intact. She can swim various strokes in both shallow and deep ends of a standard sized swimming pool.

Only the keen eye will notice a slight difference, if any, in her swimming style and others realise her missing limbs only when she lifts herself out of the pool.

Talking to her trainer, coach Leland Salano, the founder of Castle Sports and Events Limited, he said, “I met JoyFaith by herself at the Kenya School of Law swimming pool and was inspired by her determination to learn swimming. I offered to train her in the sport and she was happy and willing to be coached.”

“Over several months of training, she has improved her swimming techniques

and I am confident that she can participate in competitive swimming such as Paralympics if given the opportunity. I appeal to our Cabinet secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Honourable Ababu Namwamba, and other well wishers to consider ways of supporting youth such as JoyFaith who are differently abled either through scholarships, or otherwise and help them achieve their dreams and inspire all who are watching them.

About Castle Sports and Events Limited

Castle Sports and Events Limited is a sporting club that has been offering a variety of sporting services to the young and adults for over 15 years. The Club has partnered with various learning institutions within Nairobi County offering a range of sporting and team building Activities.

The Club mainly operates from the Kenya School of Law in Karen and the flagship activity is swimming for ages two and above. Castle Sports and Events Club also caters for people with physical challenges and special needs such as autism.