Jodie Grinham, a Paralympic archer from Pembrokeshire, is preparing to compete for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, despite being seven months pregnant. Originally from Haverfordwest but now living in Crawley, Grinham will take to the field on Sunday, 1 September, at Esplanade des Invalides for the individual archery event.
Born with brachydactyly, which left her with a shortened left arm and only a half-thumb, Grinham faced early challenges. Doctors doubted she could ever participate in archery, but Grinham and her father refused to give up. After trying various methods, they found a specially designed bow grip that fit her hand, enabling her to pursue the sport she loves.
This marks Grinham’s second Paralympic appearance. She previously won a silver medal with John Stubbs in the Mixed Team Compound Open at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.
Grinham’s determination to compete in Paris comes after overcoming significant challenges, including three miscarriages. Her son, Christian, was born prematurely at 28 weeks and spent his first 10 days in an incubator with severe jaundice. Reflecting on that time, Grinham said, ““I didn’t really get to hold him for the first 10 days, he was under a little light in this little box, which was heartbreaking.”
Although doctors have raised concerns that the added weight of the baby could cause complications or even premature labor, Grinham is steadfast in her decision to compete. “We decided we weren’t going to let a Games stop us from extending our family,” she told The Athletic. “We didn’t know if we would ever conceive again. Getting pregnant is not as easy as people think.”
Despite the risks, Grinham is determined to balance her career and family life. “My team have joked a few times that my waters could just break on the podium. That would be quite something,” she said. “I was aware I might not even get to these Games if I had the same problems as my last pregnancy but I’ve decided I want a family and a career, I want to be able to do both.”
I’m sure, like us at the Pembrokeshire Herald, the people of Pembrokeshire will be watching with immense pride as we cheer Jodie on this Sunday.
