A woman who lost three limbs as a baby due to meningitis is now Britain's strongest disabled woman - and is aiming for the world title.

Louise Greer, 28, was two when survived meningitis and sepsis - resulting in her legs, left arm and all the fingers on her right hand being amputated.

Since then, her life has been about adapting and pushing herself through tough challenges - such as learning how to walk in prosthetics.

Louise. from Gloucester started lifting weights 10 years ago when she discovered a love for the gym while at university.

After training for three years to become a strong woman, in September she won Britain's Strongest Disabled Woman title for the third consecutive year.

Now, working as a personal trainer (PT), she is calling for more people with disabilities to lift weights to tackle stigmas.

In November she is hoping to take part at the World's Strongest Disabled Woman - after qualifying to compete in the championship in Texas, US.

Louise said: "I didn't start in the gym with big goals or experience. I started as the person who didn't have a clue what to do. "

"I just knew I wanted to get stronger, and little by little, I did."

Louise stayed at Belfast Royal for six months after surviving meningitis and sepsis.

As soon as she came out of the hospital she wanted to ride ponies as part of her physiotherapy process.



She said: "I was pretty quick on the prosthetics and every time I had a new pair I just left the old pair there and just walked out with the new pair."

She remembers being a "sporty kid" growing up. "

Louise said: "Growing up I was always a sporty kid and my parents always said if I liked something I should stick to it. "

"When I went into high school I got into archery, kayaking, swimming. I did PE with everybody. I entered kayaking races with able-bodies."

Louise said she discovered her love for the gym and weightlifting while at Hartpury University with the rugby lot.

But had able-bodied PTs "wrapping me up in cotton wool", telling her "no you can't do that"."

She continued: "I tagged along with a friend to do her workout in one of the gyms and loved it because she did a lot of weightlifting - there was the part I fell in love with."

"It was a lot of trial and error so I only did things I knew I could do."

Three years ago she started training to become a strong woman.

The sport sees athletes use raw strength and endurance to lifting, carrying and pulling awkward objects such as logs and stones.

Louise said: "I didn't start in the gym with big goals or experience. I started as the person who didn't have a clue what to do. "

"I just knew I wanted to get stronger, and little by little, I did."

"I had a couple of PTs that would wrap me up in cotton wall being like 'no you can't do that. There is a few ones that tried to play it safe."

She has qualified for the World's Strongest Disabled Woman, which takes place in Texas in November, and is raising money via a crowdfunder for her trip as she does not receive funding.

Louise, who is originally from Northern Ireland, hopes to inspire more people with disabilities to try lifting weights in the gym.

She said: "It can be a scarry environment whenever you go in but nobody is watching you."

"The amount of times I've fallen off a bench or tripped over a bar and absolute face planted the floor. I have got it on video and then you can see all the people around me they haven't even lifted their heads."

"It is just about having the confidence to set up your bar, set up your area and also ask for help."

To help covering her travels, accommodation and competition costs, Louise has a GoFundMe page running here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-louise-get-to-the-worlds-strongest-disabled-woman