Weekend watching: Amputating Alice

This documentary on Channel 4 - Amputating Alice - is the story of British Paralympian swimmer Alice Tai.

Alice was born with a condition called talipes, also known as clubfoot, where one foot or both feet point inwards and downwards. Alice's talipes is bilateral, which means it affects both feet. Alice received a variety of treatments for her condition from very early in her life, including 14 invasive surgeries before her 12th birthday.

Alice began swimming aged 8 and very quickly showed excellent swimming talent. By aged 21, Alice had won countless gold medals in European and World championships and the Paralympic games. However, Alice was in increasing pain, as her legs and feet became more arthritic. Alice also needed surgery to her elbow due to the damage caused by using crutches.

Faced with the possibility of more pain and less mobility with each passing year, Alice decided to have her right leg amputated to improve her quality of life. This documentary follows Alice's amputation journey and her preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.