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Man Utd helping Hannah compete on equal terms

13 Oct 2017
Manchester United powerchair footballer Hannah

Man Utd Foundation helping Hannah show cerebral palsy is no barrier to her love of the game through powerchair football

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Hannah has cerebral palsy but she did not let the condition affect her passion for football or stop her from playing the game she loves.

So when, five years ago, Hannah was no longer able to play on her feet, she took up powerchair football and has gone from strength to strength.

"I am currently the only girl in my club but I get no special treatment," she says. "Other teams used to think I was an easy target, but they soon learnt looks can be deceiving!"

United and Me: Hannah's story

Recently she started competing and scoring goals for the Manchester United Powerchair Club, run in partnership with Sale United Powerchair Club.

The club was launched by United first-team defender Eric Bailly last week. It is part of the Manchester United Foundation's Inclusive Reds programme, which is supported by the Premier League and BT Disability Fund, and allows people like Hannah to be part of something that means far more than simply getting exercise.

"My favourite thing about powerchair football is just being able to play football on a level playing field where disability isn't a barrier," she says.

"Being part of the club has really helped me in many ways. I have gained more wheelchair control, which I am able to use in everyday situations, and I have more confidence in my own abilities.

"I'm a normal 19-year-old girl; I just want to be the best I can be."

See: Man Utd's United and Me campaign

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