Grant recipient Tegan Vincent-Cooke has very kindly contacted us with this lovely accolade and some photographs showing how well she’s doing.
“I’m so grateful for the support of Douglas Bader Foundation, being a Para Dressage Rider I find my sport and belonging as an athlete can often get overlooked. Up until now I’ve been working hard to self-fund my dreams, to have the support of others not only is a relief financially but also in the sense that I’m believed in and being recognised as a athlete and individual.”
Tegan, who has cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs, applied for a Bader Grant in November 2022 for support to meet her training costs. As all applications are reviewed and processed on a quarterly basis, she received it early this year. Grant Recipient Tegan self-funds all her training and competition costs, manages to fit riding into a busy working and academic life, and is still nearing Paralympic level as a Para-Dressage Rider! DBF was so impressed with her determination, spirit and achievements and we’re delighted to have been able to support her on her journey.
Tegan is a passionate advocate of inclusion in all aspects of life and sport.
My ambition is to make equestrian sport less of a stereotypical white middle-class sport. I want to pave the way for others and to have people of all shapes, sizes, race and colour to be included and not to have the fear of judgement put on them. Tegan Vincent-Cooke, activist and Para-Dressage rider
She has made several inspiring and motivational videos and has featured as a BBC Generation Next personality. Some links will be found at the bottom of this post.
We’re always very grateful when our Grant Recipients get in touch to let us know how they’re getting on. It’s such a rewarding feeling for us knowing that a Bader Grant has made a difference in someone’s life and may have helped towards the achievement of a goal or dream, which was the idea behind the Bader Grant Scheme when we initiated it in 1995. You can find out more about the scheme by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post.
Thank you, Tegan, we’re proud to know you and wish you the very best of well-deserved success ongoing.
Links (will open in new tabs)
- Bader Grants – to find out more about how our Bader Grant Scheme works and access application forms
- Facebook Video Tegan’s ambition is to make equestrian sport less of a stereotypical white middle-class sport and to pave the way for others. For people of all shapes, sizes, races and colour to be included. Check out her here.
- How I Live as a Disabled Woman – Helpful information and tips for people who live with Cerebral Palsy