Paralympian Helene Raynsford was asked to sign ‘do not resuscitate’ form

Helene Raynsford is sharing her experience to warn other people with disabilities against feeling pressured into ‘snap decisions’. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

A paralympian has said she was made to feel her life was “not worthy” after being asked to sign a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) form despite not having a life-limiting condition.

Helene Raynsford, 42, a wheelchair user, is a former rowing champion who won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. She was asked to sign the form, commonly called a DNR, by somebody with no medical training after being invited to an appointment initiated by a primary care network in the south-east of England.