Joanna Robertson calls her sporting career a "tremendous journey," and the next stop on that path is the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she has her sights set on gold in the T54 1500m and 400m wheelchair races.

Seven years ago, the Aberdeenshire athlete's life changed dramatically after a car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Before that, she was a casual swimmer who never competed seriously. But after the accident, her physiotherapist encouraged her to rediscover sports—and one inspiring figure changed everything.

"She showed me Sammy Kinghorn racing in the Olympics," the 24-year-old recalls. "When I saw that, I really wanted to give it a go. That's when I first tried wheelchair racing."

Fellow Scot Sammy Kinghorn is a three-time world champion and Paralympic gold medalist in the T53 100m class from Paris 2024. For Robertson, seeing someone from her own country achieve at the highest level was a powerful motivator.

"Wheelchair racing offers so much in the way of challenges, goals, and ambitions," Robertson says. "I never was competitive before, but after my injury, I got that challenge. I thought, 'I want to see what I can do.' I haven't looked back since."

Her journey has taken her across the globe, from the London and Shanghai Marathons to competitions in Switzerland and Australia. "This year we were down in Australia for their summer, which was incredible," she adds. "I'm very privileged to be able to do the sport I love full-time."

Robertson credits her coach, Philip Owens, for keeping her on track—literally and figuratively. "He's been tremendous," she says. "It's been an incredible journey."

Now, representing Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games alongside fellow wheelchair racers Sean Frame and Ben Sandilands, Robertson is focused on bringing home gold. "It's such a prideful moment to put on the colors of your home and represent your homeland," she says.

For anyone looking to start their own sporting journey—whether for competition or fitness—Robertson's story proves that the right mindset and support can turn adversity into achievement. And with the right gear and determination, there's no limit to what you can accomplish.