Dwarf golden girl proves a sports giant
AYOUNG girl showed her range of skills to return from the Dwarf Sports Association championships with a haul of medals.
Nevaeh Mason-Grant, five, from Macclesfield, struck gold in the curling and balance bike events at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s Alexandra Stadium.
She also claimed silver in the 10m run as well as bronze in the 20m event
and another bronze in football.
And to top it off Nevaeh, who has a form of dwarfism called Achondroplasia, met Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds at the event.
Mum Francesca Mason, 32, said: “It is a massive event for little people, it is like the Paralympics.
“I used to compete there when I was younger and thought it would be nice if Nevaeh did too. All I say to her is taking part is the main thing.
“If you don’t win it’s no big deal, if you do it is amazing. It was very emotional watching her race people the same size and seeing her confidence.
“At school sports day everyone is twice as big as her.”
Nevaeh, who is currently 2ft 11in tall, lives with Francesca, who has the same condition, and gran Jenny Mason near Macclesfield Hospital.
She attends Upton Priory School, where Francesca works as a midday assistant.
Although she has taken part in the Dwarf Sports Association event before this was the first year she was old enough to do so without her mum stood at her side. It was also the first year Nevaeh began noticing that other people there were ‘small like her’.
Francesca said: “This year made her realise that she is different. The way I describe it is that she has small, special bones that don’t grow as big as everyone else’s.
“Ellie Simmonds is a big inspiration because she has accomplished so much and is such a positive aspirational person.
“She shows that with any form of dwarfism you can do anything you put your mind to and achieve.”