May 7, 2018
Millie can tell exactly what type of snow she's on by the swish of her sighted-guide’s skis. Since losing her sight aged 6 she relies on what she can hear, feel and sense – whether finding her way to class at school or whizzing downhill at over 115kph seeing only the blurred bright orange flash of her guide in front. Still only 19 she’s competed in two winter Paralympics, winning two silver medals in South Korea, and sees the world through her travel photography. She’s an absolute inspiration.
On this episode we cover:
Doctor Millie! Doctor of the University Kent for her Commitment to Sport
Sochi Paralympics age 15
This year’s winter Paralympics in South Korea age 19
How it feels to speed downhill blind
How she lost her sight age 6
Struggling with ball sports
Why she got into skiing
Does she ever get scared
Crashing at over 71mph/ 115kmph
Almost suffocating in the crash barriers
The serious crash that left her off snow for 6 months
Being terrified of getting back out on the snow
Learning to conquer her fear in Chile
Seeing not much more than Brett’s luminous orange jacket
Communicating via headset
The challenge of the slalom
Finding out the texture of the snow by the sound of her partner’s skis
Being in hospital in South Korea
Beautiful South Korean villages and temples
Her love of photography
How photography helps her see
Her inspirational photography teacher
Her London exhibition – The Camera Doesn’t Know I Can’t See
Wifi and heated seats in South Korea
How it felt to lose her sight age 6
Loving the way she sees the world
How she wouldn’t change her sight for the world
Skinning rabbits at school in Kent
Visiting 16 countries just this season
Spending 7 months of the year away
Overnight snow falls 4m deep in Chile
French ski resorts having too much snow
Training in Canada
Training Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Holland (indoor!)
Indoor skiing in Holland and Germany
The challenges of travelling as a visually impaired person
Relying on public transport
The impact of London 2012 Olympics on disability awareness
Being inspired by London 2012
The helpful general public
The friendliness of busy cities
How it felt to carry the flag at the Paralympics in Sochi
Her plans to leave home for university
How sport has taught her discipline
How she learns her way around by feeling the ground, counting the steps
How travel inspires her photography
Relying on her other senses
Recognising people by their walk
Her fascination for psychology
A unexpectedly long train journey from Austria to Venice
The beauty of Venice
Her awareness of the sights and sounds and smells and bustle
Her plans to tour Ireland
Loving the Irish accent
Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Belfast
Her obsession with the band the Script
Inspired by the song that was inspired by the Paralympics