However, it wasn’t until the pain became so excruciating that she discovered the operation had triggered a rare neurological disorder to which there is no cure for.

Six years on she still can’t believe one accident could leave her disabled for the rest of her life. Yet it hasn’t stopped her from earning the title of World Paratriathlon Champion.

This week the Kilbarchan woman told how taking part in triathlon events has inspired her to encourage others to do the same.

The 43-year-old said: “I hated P.E when I was at school but have always loved sport and didn’t want to give it up.

“I just sort of fell into triathlons by accident. I found my first one to be great fun and haven’t looked back since.” Jane, who is British, European and World Paratriathlon Champion, only took up triathlon three years ago, after she was diagnosed with a life-altering condition which meant she was forced to use a wheelchair.

Following an accident which severed her Achilles tendon, Jane was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which sees her suffer from constant nerve pain and various other symptoms.

But it wasn’t until January 2008 she received the devastating news that she would be disabled for the rest of her life.

“It was absolutely awful,” Jane recalled. “I was always on the go, worked full time as a lawyer and loved going to the gym when all of a sudden I could hardly move because of the pain.

“I felt like I had lost my identity. At first I was always optimistic that things could improve but when I started doing quality research on my condition I quickly realised it was unlikely things would ever get better.

“The pain living with this condition is absolutely horrific, but taking part in triathlons has given me my self-esteem back.” In 1999, Jane ran the Great Scottish Run, and in 2009 she took first place in the women’s half-marathon wheelchair race at the same event.

She is now aiming towards the Rio 2016 Paralympics, and recently came first in the disabled women’s category for Tri Together Glasgow.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Tri Together Glasgow. Triathlons are always tough, but everyone was encouraging each other along the way, creating a fun and fantastic atmosphere.” Caroline Gormley, the Tri Together Race Director at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “I would like to thank each one of our competitors, volunteers, sponsors and support crew for making Tri Together Glasgow an inspirational day.” “By raising vital funds for Leonard Cheshire Disability Scotland our supporters are helping us to continue working with disabled people at all our services in the area.” However despite her outstanding achievements, Jane admits she still has dreams of working as a lawyer once again in future.

She said: “Living with CRPS means you live with pain everyday and have to take lots of medication.

“You are also always fatigued and stress is a big trigger so that’s why I had to give up work as a lawyer.

“However it is still my passion, something I worked hard for since the age of 14. I hope that one day I can become a lawyer again.

“Until then I’ll keep taking part in triathlons and just try to get back to the old me.”