Paralympians: Dare to Believe - Season 1

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. From his first visit to the gym when he bench-pressed 100kg, it was clear that Ali Jawad had an extraordinary talent. This is the incredible story of how Ali went from being born in Lebanon with no legs to becoming a world champion Paralympic powerlifter. He experienced a huge upset at the London 2012 games, but can he keep his dreams alive and win a place on the podium in Rio?

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. When Hannah Cockroft was born, doctors told her parents she would never walk or live an independent life. This was a prognosis that Hannah's parents just would not accept: they wanted her to have as regular a life as possible. Hannah loved sport and decided wheelchair racing would give her the freedom she'd always craved. Her dad helped to weld her first racing wheelchair and she's never looked back. Can the current world and Paralympic champion bring home gold this summer?

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. At just 14 months Natasha Baker was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a neurological disorder that has left her with permanent nerve damage in her legs but has not lessened her passion for horse riding or stopped her pursuing her dream. Inspired by watching Lee Pearson compete in the Sydney Paralympics, Natasha set herself the goal of winning gold. After achieving two gold medals in London 2012 and being awarded an MBE by the Queen, she now has her sights set on winning big in Rio.

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. Jordanne Whiley's legs broke 26 times during her childhood as a result of brittle bone disease, and she was remorselessly bullied at school because of her condition. Her father, who was also a Paralympic tennis player, put a racquet in her hand at the tender age of three and she hasn't looked back. Jordanne has gone on to win numerous Grand Slam titles, a bronze medal in the London 2012 games and she's now going for gold in Rio.

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. Only weeks away from signing a professional football contract, Jack Rutter was caught up in an unprovoked assault and suffered a massive brain injury leaving him with mild cerebral palsy in all four limbs and his dreams of becoming a professional player in tatters. After an agonising few years, Jack finally got involved with disability football and like a phoenix rising from the ashes will captain the Great Britain 7-a-side team at the Rio 2016 games. Can Jack and the GB team manage to make the podium?

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. Born without her right arm, Lauren Steadman always knew she would never let her disability stand in the way of her sporting career. After eight years on the Paralympic swimming team without major success, Lauren finally decided to have a go at triathlon and she went from underdog to the current world champion in no time. Find out why she never gave up on her dreams of Paralympic glory and how dancing helps keep her happy.

A series of intimate portraits of seven British Paralympians heading to Rio, focusing on the moment that changed their lives. Georgie was keen on sport from an early age but rejected it when she was 14 after her coach suggested she compete in Paralympic sport. She had always viewed her cerebral palsy as a weakness and so initially didn't believe she had a disability, but watching others compete in the London 2012 games and seeing how far Paralympic sport had come gave Georgie all the inspiration she needed to get back on the track where her old coach was still training. Now spurred on by her young daughter, Georgie is determined to come back from Rio with a medal.