An Australian Paralympian born with one arm and no legs is expected to receive a special disability discount card after initially being told she was not disabled enough because she can ride a skateboard.

Tracy Barrell won two gold medals for swimming at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, was awarded an Order of Australia medal, raised two boys and has campaigned for disabled and Indigenous rights in Australia.

Australian Paralympian Tracy Barrell with her children. Credit:Facebook

However, she did not have the same amount of success when applying for a NSW Companion Card, which allows a highly disabled person to bring an escort to some ticketed events without the escort having to pay.

Ms Barrell was told last Friday that she was not disabled enough to qualify because she has "proscribed aids" to get around, including a skateboard to get around her house, a wheelchair and a modified car.