Paralympic Swimmer Rebecca Redfern Reflects on MBE Honour

A Paralympic swimmer has stated that receiving a King’s honour has affirmed that the difficulties she overcame on her path to success were not in vain. Rebecca Redfern, 24, from Droitwich, was presented with an MBE for her contributions to young people and the community in Worcestershire at Windsor Castle. Ms. Redfern was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that restricts peripheral vision, at the age of seven. She commented: “Not every day is easy, and there are challenges that I overcome, and there are still more challenges for me but knowing that days like this are possible, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel, it makes those challenges easier.” Ms. Redfern mentioned that the day’s activities included tours of royal rooms and learning about Windsor Castle’s history, but she couldn’t stop “shaking the whole time.” “We waited around in these amazing rooms that had swords and guns plastered on the walls… the royalty presence was just insane,” she recounted. She described feeling rigid with nerves as she approached the ceremony, but her apprehension vanished the moment she spoke with Prince William, who was conducting the proceedings. “I was so nervous, my hair was covering where my badge was going and he asked me to move it, but I couldn’t, because my hands were shaking,” she joked. “Prince William put me at ease… he’s just like a normal human, you expect royalty to be on a pedestal, but he was so down to earth,” she added. At 16 years old, Ms. Redfern competed in her first Paralympics in Rio, where she earned a silver medal. She subsequently qualified for the Tokyo games, held in 2021, merely nine months after giving birth, despite concerns that her swimming career might end amidst the demands of parenthood. Before reaching the international stage, however, she swam at Worcester Swimming Club with her siblings. Ms. Redfern credited her family and swimming coach, Mark Stowe, for their unwavering support throughout her athletic career. She shared: “It was really special to have shared this moment with the most important people in my journey. [Having] my mum, dad and coach there was special because without them, I wouldn’t be here.” She concluded that sharing the experience with them was the most significant aspect of the day. BBC Hereford & Worcester can be followed on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.