Paralympian Sammi Kinghorn recently shared an update on her pregnancy, expressing gratitude for the experience and celebrating the physical changes in her body. Kinghorn, a decorated wheelchair racer and presenter, is expecting her first child with husband Callum Aitken.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Kinghorn, 30, showcased her baby bump while wearing a sports bra. She described her pregnancy as "beautiful" and noted that she is "fully cooked."
"When you have a spinal injury, your body stops doing many 'normal' things, but being pregnant has allowed me to watch my body change and do something it’s supposed to do," Kinghorn wrote in her post. "It’s been beautiful, and I’m so incredibly grateful!"
She also shared a series of photos documenting her pregnancy progression over several months. Kinghorn announced her pregnancy in March, posting a video that included baby socks and a sonogram. The announcement also featured her and Aitken wearing "Mum" and "Dad" hats, respectively.
Kinghorn was paralyzed from the waist down at age 14 following an accident on her family's farm in the Scottish Borders in 2010. While helping clear snow, she was crushed by a forklift. Her father, Neill, unknowingly lowered the vehicle's bucket onto her.
She recounted the event to the Daily Mail in 2023, describing the immense pressure and the sensation of her body being compressed. Kinghorn initially told her parents she had tripped, but later revealed the truth to medical staff.
After a six-month hospital stay, Kinghorn was introduced to the world of adaptive sports. Her first event, the London Mini Marathon in 2012, saw her finish second. This success fueled her dedication, leading to rigorous training and qualification for the Rio Paralympics in 2016, where she placed fifth in the T53 100m race.
Kinghorn has since achieved world champion status and secured two Paralympic medals. She also holds a 100m record at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. In addition to her athletic career, she has been awarded an MBE for her contributions to disability sport and works as a presenter on BBC's Countryfile.