A Grimsby woman who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 8 years ago says sports has changed her life and helped her regain her confidence and independence. Instead of giving up the game she loved, she decided to learn how to play tennis in a wheelchair.

31 year old Gillian Cruz is on the tennis court several days a week. She’s always been an athlete but 8 years ago she started feeling numbness and tingling in her arms. “I was diagnosed with MS at age 22 and it was a pretty rapid downward spiral.”

“It was devastating you lose your purpose in life when you were always an athletic person.”

Last year she decided if her legs weren’t going to allow her to play able-bodied tennis, she’d find another way.

“It’s extremely empowering, it’s a surreal feeling to know you can be out on the court and doing something so independently when you have lost your independence for so many years.”

Gillian uses a special sport wheelchair. It’s lighter and has slanted wheels to give her more stability and helps her make quick turns. Now she’s able to play with her husband, who is also her coach and their three year old son.

She’s recently been named an ambassador for tennis Canada.