Nina Sparks was born in 1990 and is of Asian heritage. She was adopted into a white British family via Coram. In 2021 Nina was diagnosed with MS but continues to snowboard at international level. In March 2026 she competed at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics as the first ever female snowboarder to represent Paralympics GB. She explains what her adoption has meant to her.
My family are lovely. My two brothers are my Mum and Dad’s birth children and my sister and I are both of Indian heritage although we were adopted from two different families. There was never any kind of secret and there couldn’t be because my Mum, Dad and brothers are all white. Although there was never any doubt that my sister and I came from somewhere else, we weren’t treated differently. They’ve helped and supported us all – there’s never been any favouritism. To Mum and Dad we’re just their four children it’s as simple as that.
I don’t even remember being told about the adoption so it must’ve been quite early. The ethnicity thing has never really been an issue. I think because I’m in such a caring and accepting family being transracially adopted was never a big thing. I’m guessing Coram did some work with my two brothers before I came along. I think that helped them to be sensitive to what was happening. My parents are just really nice people. They’d do anything for anybody and often do! I think I’ve managed to inherit my parents positive attitude.
I fell in love with winter sports when I was five years old on a family holiday in Switzerland and when I was about eight, I started skiing lessons. I took up snowboarding after seeing it on TV although I wouldn’t say I got the hang of it straight away! I fell over lots and grazed my knees, but it didn’t put me off. It’s an amazing feeling like flying.
I couldn’t be prouder to have been selected to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics and make history as the first female Para Snowboarder to represent ParalympicsGB. It’s pretty cool!
I’m far busier than I should be. Apart from the Snowboarding, I run a Guide unit, I help with Scouts and I teach piano as well as having set up a kits Pedal Car Team which keeps me very busy! One of the kids I teach is adopted and I like to think I keep a watchful eye on her and support her when I can. It’s lovely to have that link. If I hadn’t been adopted I may not of had those opportunities.
I think that what I’m doing now is directly related to the fact that I was adopted. My life could have been so different, but I’m grateful, I’m happy, I’m enjoying what I’m doing and I feel really lucky to have been adopted into a family that has given me all these opportunities and helped make these amazing things happen.
