Meet the Northamptonshire woman who went from a housebound size 26 wheelchair user when she lost her dad to a size 12
Meet the Northamptonshire woman who went from a housebound, size 26 wheelchair user when she lost her father in 2021, to a full-of-life size 12 as we approach 2026.
Katie Dixon-Hancock, from Towcester, shared her inspiring journey with the Chronicle & Echo to spread hope that things can get better.
Katie’s dad sadly passed away in 2021 and as a wheelchair user as a result of her weight, mental health and physical issues, she decided it was time to make a change as she approached 40 years old.
“I decided to do something for me and I used my inheritance from my dad to get a gastric sleeve,” said Katie, who praises the procedure in March 2023 as the cause of the majority of her weight loss.
She worked hard to get out of her wheelchair by attending physiotherapy, walking her dogs, and getting back into sports like swimming and netball – which Katie never anticipated she would do.
Talking about how being a size 26 impacted her life, Katie said: “Everyday I was housebound and couldn’t get out anywhere. I was miserable, had no energy and was sleeping all the time. I didn’t want to go out as I was conscious of people judging or staring at me.”
It took six months following her procedure in March 2023 for a noticeable change to occur, as Katie’s confidence grew, she fit into smaller clothes, and formed new friendships and social groups.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Katie, who is ending 2025 as a size 12. “I thought I was destined to be miserable and in a wheelchair, and thought I’d never get my life back. I’m living again.”
One of Katie’s highlights of this journey is that she began playing netball again with Bloom Netball around two months ago. She believes it is apt that her team is called the ‘Shadow Shooters’ as she is shooting for the stars now.
When asked what message she would send to anyone who finds themselves in a situation like she did in 2021, Katie said: “Believe in yourself and the small things all add up in the long run.
“Without walking again and seeing people, none of it would have been possible for me. We need to give ourselves more praise and self-love as we’re so harsh.”