Teen with cerebral palsy 'proving doctors wrong'

Grace Greenwood, 19, who has cerebral palsy, has been practising karate for 11 years

A karate black belt in Jersey living with cerebral palsy has said she wants to encourage more people with disabilities to take up sports.

Grace Greenwood, 19, was born with the condition and said doctors only gave her a couple of hours to live.

She gained a black belt in karate and now wants to show others they can achieve their goals in sport as well.

Ryan Lambotte, her coach, described the teenager as an "inspiration".

Ryan Lambotte said Ms Greenwood was a "role model" for others

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affects movement and co-ordination.

Grace, who has been practising karate for 11 years, said doctors were not sure if she would survive the condition.

"So far I'm proving them wrong," she said.

“I survived and karate has given me an opportunity to challenge what people think I'm able to do.”

'Role model'

Mr Lambotte, the chief instructor at Jersey Wado Ryu, said he had never seen anyone quite like Grace take to the sport.

"[She] really is unique and her determination and resilience is role model behaviour, regardless of any ability or disability," he said.

“She can do whatever she sets her mind to and that's an inspiration to able bodied and non-able bodied people.”