“If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door “- Milton Berle. Baroness Tanni’s strong determination, tough training, and disciplined approach earned her a place with the greatest United Kingdom athletes. She is multi-talented and wears many hats - Paralympian, Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, Motivational Speaker, Broadcaster, and Mother. She has participated in five Paralympic Games over a span of 16 years and has won a sum of 11 gold, 4 silver and a bronze medal. She has also won the London Marathon wheelchair race six times. Baroness Tanni is also a passionate television and radio sports commentator. She has successfully covered number of events including the London Marathon, World, and European Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games. She has also received plenty of awards, recognitions, and honorary degrees including appointment to the House of Lords as a cross-bench peer.

You are one of Britain's greatest Paralympic athletes. How did your Paralympic journey start? What kind of training did you go through?T: I started doing sport in school and really enjoyed it - my Dad also thought it was really important to keep kit and be healthy. It is a long journey because there are ups and downs along the way - training can be hard, but also really exciting. Training was 12 - 15 times a week and for 50 weeks a year - pretty relentless and not always that exciting, especially in the winter

You are a Paralympian, Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords, Motivational Speaker, Broadcaster and Mother. How have these roles shaped you? Which one was the most challenging?T: I think being a Mum is the most challenging. In Sport and Politics there are lots of rules that help and guide you. Being a Mum then you set the rules - it is sometimes hard when you are really tired to even remember what those are ! It is really hard trying to get the right balance between work and home life. As I work away for from days a week (I live 300 miles from London) that can be really challenging

Can you tell us about you autobiography, “Seize the Day”?T: It is about making the most of the opportunities that you have. I think that it is also really important to stop and take stock of where you are and what you are doing. Sometimes you might not realise there is an opportunity in front of you. I think it is important to try lots of different things - if nothing else to see what you do and don’t like doing. This is really important in terms of trying lots of sports but also you will never know what you are good at until perhaps you know what you are not so good at

You have received plenty of awards and recognition. Which award is closest to you heart and why?T: I have been very fortunate and there are lots of people along the way who have helped me to be the athlete that I was. I think being made a Dame was pretty special. My family was able to come to the ceremony and that was an amazing experience to share with them. Probably the House of Lords - it is an incredible place - where you can make a difference - sometimes it is hard to see what, but I really cherish the opportunity it gives me to try and give disabled people some of the same opportunities that I had

Who is your inspiration?T: There was a welsh athlete called Chris Hallam - sadly he has passed away from Cancer. But he was amazing - quite outspoken, in your face, a bit arrogant (but good) and he became a really good friend of mine. I watched him compete in the London marathon and decided that was what I wanted to do

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about that place?T: I like spending time with my family. I probably don’t get to spend enough time with them through different parts of the year so actually being at home with them is really nice. Just watching a movie and eating pop corn - there is usually a lot of discussion about that that film might be. If we are watching a DVD(s) the only rule is that you can’t watch the same one twice in a row !!!

What are your other hobbies?T: I spend a lot of time reading - I love the peace and quiet you get and the ability to disappear in to another world.

What do you like to do when you are with your family?T: My daughter takes part in many sports, but her favourite is white water slalom canoeing - we spend a lot of time at various rivers around the country. It is wonderful in the summer, not quite so nice in the middle of winter

Any special message for our community?T: As an individual you can express yourself in so many different ways - for me it was sport - for others it is art. It comes back to trying lots of different things - it can also be about the people that you meet along the way as anything else - you can meet lots of great people who can change your life.