Lesley Johnstone

Hometown: Glasgow

Live: Aberdeen

Occupation: Full-time Gardener at the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens

Sport: Badminton

Classification: SL4

Name of Club: Scottish National Para-Badminton Squad

Coaches: Kirsty Flockhart

When/How you got involved: 2018 after my amputation. I had played for many years prior to my accident which was in 2010.

Sporting Highlights: 

• Representing Scotland for Para-Badminton on the International stage.
• Being selected for the Scottish National Para-Badminton Squad.
• Being selected for the Grampian Athlete Development Programme
• Medalling twice at the Four Nations tournament, Scottish Nationals and UK Championships
• Playing for an able-bodied badminton club & taking part in their tournaments (and occasionally winning).
• Relearning how to walk and run after my amputation after 7 years of immobility
• Running The Banchory Beast 10k one year after my amputation
• Medalling twice in the National Wheelchair Tennis Tournaments
• Being nominated for the Aberdeen Sports Awards Achiever of the Year category in 2019
• Being nominated for the National Fitness Awards in the Member Achiever of the Year category in 2019

Sporting Goals and Aspirations: To qualify for the Paralympics

One bit of advice for an aspiring athlete: Work hard and believe you can do it.