Roundup: Watch McKenzie Coan Make A Young Fan’s Day
by Karen Price
Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para swimming. Here’s what you missed!
Meeting Her Hero
Hadley Larsen is a little girl with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which also affects McKenzie Coan. Coan is Hadley’s hero, and on one very special day earlier this month the four-time Paralympian surprised her during a visit to the aquarium. Check out the look on her face when she realizes the woman she looks up to has been with them the whole day!
Sharing Unstoppable Stories
Six-time Paralympian Jessica Long is an inspiration to countless people across the globe, and she recently encouraged her followers to check out another story of strength and resilience. Long wrote, “Growing up without legs, I had to figure out my own way to move forward—literally and figuratively.
“Being unstoppable isn’t about having it all together; it’s about finding the strength to keep going and Anthony Robles’ story is proof of that.”
Long then encouraged followers to check out “Unstoppable,” the new sports drama about Robles, who was born without a leg and eventually became an NCAA wrestling champion. The film can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Long also encouraged people to share their own unstoppable stories on her feed. See what they had to say:
If At First …
Lizzi Smith is a three-time Paralympian … but even she misses a box jump now and then during training sessions. Smith shared words of wisdom about her results, writing, “Nothing more humbling than missing box jumps 🫠. BUT a reminder that failing doesn’t look like missing box jumps. Failing looks like never trying a box jump to begin with! Everyone stumbles when they run uphill.”
Check out her whole post here:
And then check out another great message she shared, this time a take on imposter syndrome from U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher that Smith said “is so important for young females to hear 👏”
“It’s actually not polite AT ALL to shrink yourself,” Smith wrote. “What I’m learning is, it’s actually a huge disservice to yourself and others to not take up space. Own who you are, the work you’ve done, and the value that you contribute”
Winnett On The Mend
Taylor Winnett has suffered a breakup … with her appendix. Winnett posted a shot of herself in a hospital gown, writing, “Left the hospital yesterday feeling a little lighter because my appendix decided that it no longer wanted to live with me 😯.
“To my surprise this has brought up a lot of feelings for me, specifically fear from when I last had stomach surgery and complications. I had a lot of tears, but I am thankful that I had a wonderful EDS competent team, supportive husband, one of the best grilled cheeses of my life, and early detection. Not thankful that I’ll be out of the pool for at least 2 weeks and the gym for 6 weeks, but grateful to be on the mend.”
Check out the whole post here:
Helping The Helpers
Jamal Hill is a Los Angeles native, and he’s hoping to give something back to the firefighters who’ve been battling the fires in his hometown. Through his Swim Up Hill Foundation, the two-time Paralympian wrote, “Our firefighters are giving their all to protect our homes and communities. Now it’s our turn to step up for them. 💜 We’re raising funds to provide them with meals, supplies, and the support they need as they work tirelessly to fight the fires. 💜”
Hill shared the following link for those who want to support: gofundme.com/supportsocalfirefighters
Making Her Mark
Tessa Nagy was one of six women with intellectual disabilities to compete at the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials for Swimming this summer, and in December she earned three medals at nationals. Learn more about her in this feature story in the Santa Monica Daily News out of California.
Karen Price is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for various publications. She is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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