In 2017, at the age of 33, Sheryl James opted to quit her job. She had a vision that she could make a difference in the lives of people with physical disabilities, but she first had to leave the safety of her career and the family members close to her.
Sheryl turned to sport, aiming to compete at the highest level and serve as an example for others to follow. Two years later, she lined up in Tokyo to compete against the best in the world over 400 metres.
The story may not sound that unusual, with many top athletes opting to make a comeback and try again for glory. The difference is that Sheryl was born with cerebral palsy and had no history of competing in athletics. At the time, she did some long-distance running, with one failed and two successfully completed Comrades ultramarathons behind her.
What followed over the next few years is almost unbelievable. She won bronze in the 400m T37 event at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai. Two years later, in 2021, the world watched as Sheryl lined up in the 100m, 200m and 400m finals at the Tokyo Paralympics. South Africa rejoiced when she clinched bronze in the 400m. In 2025, she repeated this feat at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, again winning bronze in the 400m T37 category.
The full story of how Sheryl achieved success, including the hardships, struggles and many failures, has thus far been known to only a few friends and close family members. It is, however, a story worth telling, and Sheryl and her mother, Sandy James, began to write their memoirs.
On Friday night, 6 February, during a small but intimate function at Emmanuel Christian School, the book Unbridling was officially launched. The guest speaker for the event was Gail Gilbride, award-winning author of Under the African Sun and also author of a memoir addressing her journey with cancer, Cat Therapy.
Gail engaged Sheryl and Sandy in a question-and-answer session, which provided insight into the book and the reasons they decided to write it. It was clear during the session that the mother-and-daughter relationship is something special. Sheryl’s father, Chris, also shared insights, particularly about the title of the book, Unbridling, which refers to the bridle put in a horse’s mouth, which needs to be tailored for that specific horse or even removed.
The book provides readers with insight into a deeply personal journey, starting with Sheryl’s birth on 11 February 1986. It takes readers through her years of study at Tuks in Pretoria, her efforts to prove herself in polocrosse, and her introduction to sprinting. It also covers her involvement in the IsAbility Sports Club Limpopo, where she mentors young athletes and advocates for drug-free sport.
The book reflects on her faith and how that not only influenced her decisions but gave her the strength to continue. A leaflet handed out during the book launch described the book as “a story of passion, faith, family, love, connecting and chasing impossible dreams relentlessly”.
But the story is not yet complete, and more chapters may still be added. Sheryl is likely to form part of the team that will compete in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which take place from 23 July to 2 August. The Games feature an integrated para-sport programme with 47 medal events.
At the age of 40, Sheryl has not stopped dreaming. Her disability has never bridled her, and she has shown that what people can achieve is limitless.
Unbridling is available from Exclusive Books and Bargain Books. It will also be available at some independent book stores as book signings happen.