An emotional, inspiring close to day two of the Oxford Farming Conference, heard Scottish Paralympian, Samantha Kinghorn, share with delegates her journey of coming back from a devastating farm accident.

During the winter of 2001 and a period of extreme snowfall, she told delegates that as her father was out clearing snow, she had jumped on his forklift and ended up getting crushed.

“I remember feeling an immense amount of pressure on the top of my head and the first feeling I felt was guilt,” said Samantha, who was 14 at that time. “What was I thinking? My dad is going to lose his job and his daughter. Why have you done this?”

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She told delegates that she remembered sliding out from the forklift and running out of its path but that was the last time she ever felt her legs. Samantha was paralysed from the waist down and transferred to a spinal unit in Glasgow, where she spent six months in recovery.

“I remember getting my first wheelchair, I was in awe of it,” she continued. “It wasn’t something that was a disability it was something that enabled me to go out and see my friends, and live my life fully. I was so excited that day and knew I wouldn’t be stuck in bed forever.”

Sharing some important life lessons with the conference, she said: “There will always be somebody who wishes they were in your situation.

"I spent six months in a spinal unit with some people paralysed from the neck down and they would have done anything to be in my position. Be grateful for what you do have. Stop wasting time on the past and look forward to the future.”

Samantha has gone on to become the UK’s fastest ever wheelchair racer and is a double Paralympic medallist.

“I love what I do, but I can’t imagine the pain my dad still carries day-to-day, but when I’m out there racing and doing something I genuinely love, and succeeding at something I love, I hope it takes the burden off his shoulders a little more. Nothing gives me more pride than to see my mum and dad smile and be proud of something I have achieved.”

Leaving the delegates with a lasting message, she concluded: “Your life can change in an instant, just like mine did. Life can be very short, or life can be very long, why would you spend any of that time doing something you don’t enjoy.”