In June 2023, Stephanie Quintrell and Heather Sharp completed the Ride to Freedom along with 6 other women as part of a Forces Wives Challenge expedition, tackling the challenging terrain surrounding the World War Two Freedom Trail (Le Chemin de la Liberté), across the Pyrenees Mountains on horseback. The team followed remote mountain passes that were used as escape routes into Spain by around 33,000 allied service personnel and others fleeing to safety, avoiding checkpoints and surveillance.

Achieving this challenge is remarkable in itself, but is made even more impressive by the fact that Steph, who was diagnosed with a neurological condition in 2019, is permanently dependent on a wheelchair.

In this conversation, we discuss the inspiration for the challenge, the highs and lows as well as the nuances around accessibility and the assumptions made around what can and can’t be done. It highlights how for change to truly happen, those impacted need to have a voice and be heard. But this is also the story about connections and relationships - and a remarkable group of women who supported each other to achieve something extraordinary.

Find out more about Forces Wives Challenge:

https://www.forceswiveschallenge.org/

Instagram: @forces_wives_challenge

Facebook: @forceswiveschallenge

Stephanie Quintrell:

@steph_backinthesaddle

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