Tegan Vincent Cook couldn't believe this was really happening. As she strutted out into

the arena atop her horse Coco, she heard the crowd buzzing with excitement. This was

everything she'd been training for. She was about to compete in the 2022 British National

Championships in Dressage. All of her hard work and countless hours practicing had brought

her here, and however she performed today could determine her future as an athlete. As she

waited for the bell, Tegan could feel her heart pounding and the eyes of the spectators

watching her every move. Years ago, this might have made her feel self-conscious, but today,

Tegan felt powerful and strong, and yet, she knew from experience, anything could happen.

I'm Day Day Dabby, and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a fairytale podcast about the

real-life Rebel women who inspire us. On this episode, Tegan Vincent Cook, award-winning

power out a question, motivational speaker, an advocate for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

The most of us walking between classrooms at school is an easy part of the day.

We get to say hi to the friends we pass, maybe stop at our locker to swap out a book,

swing by the water fountain, no big deal, but when Tegan was a kid, that walk to class was what

she dreaded most. Tegan was born in 2001 with quadriplegic cerebral palsy,

which meant she had a hard time moving her body, especially her arms and legs. Tegan's muscles

didn't behave the way she wanted them to. They tensed up, stretching tighter and tighter,

until her limbs felt as stiff as a tree. Sometimes, her muscles contracted all on their own,

moving her bodies in ways she couldn't control. Tegan had to put extra effort into every single

movement, coming up with her own way to do things like her shoes, or get a glass of water.

She tried to stay cheerful and positive, but as she got older, she started to notice how people

would gawk at her. That long hallway at school with its bright fluorescent lights felt more like a

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