What was your first car?

I had a blue, three-door, Vauxhall Astra. I think it was £7,000 and I bought it new. It was very scary because my parents helped me out and I just kept thinking, whatever you do, don't crash it. Probably a good idea when you are learning.

How many times did it take to pass your test?

I was taught by a mixture of driving school and my Dad. My Mum was obviously was scared of me driving and whenever I came to somewhere where she thought I should be braking she would use her feet to press down on her side of the car. My sister and I would then joke how careful we both have to be when driving. If I was driving and the other two were there, my sister would say: “Be careful, there's a car leaving Newport.” Because I drove on hand controls then I had to get a car first before I could learn to drive.

Who would be your ideal fantasy passenger and where would you go?

I would like to drive across America with my family. I have always wanted to do that, but I don't get a lot of time for holidays. I would love to have massive ten berth camper van, just for the three of us, and take six weeks or longer to do it. Knowing me I will have a row with my husband two days in and would want to go home, but it would be a nice idea.

What is your dream car?

I like driving and I think the BMW 3-Series Touring I have now is good. My husband has a big van which is about the size of a small minibus. My daughter canoes and we can fit her boat in the back plus loads of junk. It is amazing what you can find under the seats. I have never wanted a two-seater sports car - it's too hard to put my wheelchair in. I would quite like my current car, but in bright purple - my favourite colour.

How would you describe your driving style?

I do a lot of driving. At its highest it was about 60,000 miles a year. Now it is about 20,000 a year. I think I am quite sensible. I went to a defensive driving course a few years ago which was great, and I am trying to sort out going on another one. They are worth it.

Tell me one driving anecdote from your past?

Many years ago I was driving in the USA with a friend and the hand controls fell off the brake. I screamed and she had to throw herself on the floor of the car to use the brake with her hands - she is paralysed as well. We fixed it with duct tape, cable ties and some spanners until we got to a garage to get it fixed.

What is playing on your in car iPod or CD player at the moment?

Radio 4. But my husband puts on Radio 2 and doesn't change it back when he stops which annoys me when it's my car, and we then have to listen to whatever my 11-year-old daughter likes. I probably know what she doesn't like more than she does. But the music she does like she skips through on her iPod so I may ever hear the first couple of lines of any song.

What do you drive now?

The 3-Series Touring I mentioned earlier. I am very fortunate that as one of the Olympic and Paralympic sponsors I did some work for BMW last year and I have one 'on loan'. It is really nice to drive, and I would definitely get one when the arrangement comes to an end. I love the voice-activated satellite navigation system which works really well, the parking sensors and especially the heated car seats. I would never go back to a car without them.