Meet Michelle – a wonderful client from our Community Activity Centre (CAC). When Michelle isn’t spending her time doing mosaics or braille here at VisAbility, she’s out on the court competing in Blind and Low Vision Tennis.
When Michelle’s carer first suggested she try blind and low vision tennis, her immediate response was: “No, I don’t want to get hit in the head!” But curiosity won, and from the very first session, she was hooked.
In just one year, Michelle has gone from beginner to competing in seven tournaments! She’s already brought home trophies, earning 3rd place in doubles and 4th in singles earlier this year.
Michelle plays with the South Mandurah Tennis Club, and her passion for the sport continues to grow. At the recent Blind Tennis Open in Perth, she powered through three singles and two doubles matches in one weekend. While the podium wasn’t hers this time, her determination and love for the game shine through every match.
We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Michelle about her incredible tennis journey. Read on to find out more…
Q&A with Michelle
Tell me about your background in tennis and how you got into it?
I’ve been playing for about a year. My carer asked me if I wanted to play, and at first I said no, I didn’t want to get hit in the head! She encouraged me to check it out, and from the first instance, I loved it. Since then, I’ve played in seven tournaments and was sponsored to play nationals in Melbourne in July. I also went to Adelaide last year for a tournament.
Tell me about your favourite achievement you’re proud of in tennis?
I’m incredibly proud to be able to travel for tennis and meet new people. There’s such a good community around it that I love being a part of.
What do you love most about tennis?
The competition – to compete is so much fun, and I love meeting new people with the same disability. I never thought I’d get to play a sport when I lost my vision. I’m proud to already have a couple of trophies, and I enjoy seeing who can win each time.
Looking Ahead
Michelle’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible with determination, community, and support. From her first hesitant step onto the court to competing nationally, she’s proving that vision loss doesn’t mean giving up on sport… it means finding new ways to shine!
We’re proud to celebrate Michelle’s achievements and can’t wait to see where her tennis journey takes her next. 🌟
