“WHEN I got MS 16 years ago, I never thought that I’d go on to be competing at the Paralympics – I thought my life was over.”

A call-up to represent Great Britain in a second Paralympic Games has Stephanie Millward in a reflective mood after the Corsham swim star was named in her country’s squad for Rio 2016.

On Monday, the 34-year-old was poolside at the Manchester Aquatics Centre – the British Para-Swimming National Performance Centre, where she has trained since October last year – as ParalympicsGB’s Chef de Mission for the upcoming summer showpiece, Penny Briscoe MBE, revealed the 31-strong British team for Rio, with Trowbridge’s Aaron Moores also getting the nod.

Already a five-time Paralympic medallist following four silvers and bronze at London 2012, Millward, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis days before her 18th birthday back in 2000, is full of excitement ahead of her trip to Brazil in August and will be swimming with the hope of continuing to provide a shining example of what can be achieved as an athlete with a disability.

“A load of us were invited to come and listen to the team being read out in Manchester but we were only told that we might be in the team, so it was really nerve-wracking,” said Millward.

“There were a few media things going on too but imagine if you were listening and your name wasn’t read out? I would have been heartbroken but it was and I was so happy.

“We’ll get our schedules soon. I’ve still got to sit down with the performance director to find out what races I’ll be doing. I imagine I’d do the 400 free, 100 free and 100 backstroke, and some relays too.

“When I got MS 16 years ago, I never thought that I’d go on to be competing at the Paralympics – I thought my life was over. I hope my swimming and my book (Paying the Price, released in November 2014) show that these illnesses are just burdens and stepping stones to get over.

“I think it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be so exciting and full of colour. I’m going to try and win a gold medal but any medal or just attending a Paralympics is an achievement.”

Fellow Wiltshire Paralympian Moores will also be heading to Rio with medal-winning pedigree – the 22-year-old won the S14 100m backstroke at London 2012.

Moores, who lowered the 100m breaststroke S14 world record twice at the recent 2016 British Para-Swimming International Meet in Glasgow, said: “I am really happy to know that I’ve been selected to compete at Rio 2016.

"I’ve trained to be the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m going to carry on working hard in the pool and aim to give the best performances I can when the competition starts in just over 100 days’ time.”