Tracy Barrell says she was devastated to be told she wasn't disabled enough for assistance.

An Australian paralympian says she's been denied a disability discount card because she can ride a skateboard.

Tracy Barrell was born with no legs and one arm, and won two gold medals swimming for Australia at the Barcelona Paralympics.

But that wasn't good enough for the Australian government to give her a companion card, which allows people with disabilities to be accompanied to certain events and venues by a friend, family member or carer without them having to pay.



"It said that I wasn't able to receive one due to the ability that I was still able to use my prescribed aids - my skateboard, motorised scooter and modified car," Barrell told the Daily Mail.

The solo mum said she wanted the card so she could get out more.

"If we go to the movies the kids have to push me on the carpet, they have to get the drinks; they have to press buttons for Eftpos," she told The Northern Star.

She said she couldn't afford to pay for a friend to help out.

"I don't expect to pay them all the time it would be life changing if I didn't have to ask people for more help."

With one of her gold medals in 1992.

The criteria to be eligible for the card included having a permanent disability and needing help when out in the community.

Barrell told the Daily Mail she ticked those boxes and was "distraught" when she found out she had been rejected.

"I cried all day," she said.

"They always make you feel like you're begging for scraps."

Barrell's doctor has challenged the ruling, saying she also has arthititis in her one arm, while a friend has started a charge.org petition to get the ruling overturned.

Barrell said the first thing she'd do if she when she gets a card is pay for a friend to see Dirty Dancing the musical.