Ellen Keane says Dancing with the Stars has given her a platform “to show what people with disabilities can do”.
The  Paralympic swimmer has made it through to the semi-final of the popular RTÉ show, and admitted her goal has always been to make it to the final.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s show, the 26-year-old said: “My biggest thing on the show was representing people with disabilities.”
The Dubliner explained: “Not everyone likes sport or watches sport and the show has given me a different platform to connect with other people and to show them what people with disabilities can do.”
“I’ve been getting so many messages of support from the disabled community and from people learning and understanding disabilities a bit more, it’s really lovely to see.”
“For me, I am aware it has a little bit of a responsibility because there are not that many people with disabilities in the media. It’s just to have fun and have people interested to watch the show to see what all of us can do.”
Ellen continued: “”Obviously I always wanted to make the final, and that was my goal, but as each week goes by you realise how good everyone else is, so it’s really anyone’s game.”
The athlete will compete against rugby star Jordan Conroy, singer Erica Cody, Love Island star Matthew MacNabb and jockey Nina Carberry in tonight’s semi-final.
The Dancing with the Stars semi-final airs on RTÉ One tonight at 6.30pm.
