“Why Not Me?”: How Gray Rutledge Turned Tragedy into Triumph

If anyone knows that life can change at a moment’s notice, it’s Gray Rutledge. 

Three years ago, Rutledge never would have imagined that she would be in Lima, Peru, this week, getting ready to compete in the Para Swimming World Series grand finale. And she certainly wouldn’t have guessed she’d be a quadriplegic, nor that she would become an inspiration to so many across the country. 

The last few years have been nothing short of a roller coaster. 

“It’s good to take a step back,” Rutledge, 24, began, “and think about going from being on a ventilator and being told I might not make it through the night to being a professional athlete and being a voice for so many people.” 

In April 2023, Rutledge was a nursing student and a competitive dancer when her immune system suddenly attacked her spinal cord, leaving her paralyzed and on life support.  

During a long and intense rehabilitation process, Rutledge began to regain some control of her arms. However, she eventually plateaued in her rehab and was released from outpatient therapy.  

In essence, she was on her own.  

That’s when her physical therapist challenged her to find a new purpose. 

“She gave me a talk about accepting that this is where I am,” Rutledge said, “and that I have to figure out what I can do with what I still have. Swimming gave me goals again. It gave me something to work for.” 

In fact, Rutledge worked so hard that she transformed herself into one of the top Para swimmers in the country. She already holds multiple U.S. Para swimming records and enters this weekend’s competition looking to medal in four events: the 50-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle and the 100-meter backstroke. 

“I’m really excited to race,” said Rutledge, a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, who had never previously traveled outside the U.S. “I know there’s a lot of competition, but that’ll push me even harder. My coaches and teammates have reminded me, ‘Hey, this is your first international meet, so just do your best and have fun.’” 

The meet will also serve as an important opportunity for Rutledge and others to lay the foundation for a potential berth in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

“It’s a crucial meet, especially for a number of the athletes who did not compete at the world championships in Singapore last month,” noted Amanda Duke Boulet, director of U.S. Paralympics Swimming. “It’s their final opportunity this year to prove their progress and capitalize on the hard work they’ve put into training.” 

Rutledge, for one, will have plenty of motivation to succeed in Lima. 

She wants to prove that all her hard work is paying off, but she'll also be swimming for more than just herself this weekend. 

“This meet is really important to me because my best friend’s father passed away just a few days ago,” Rutledge said. “She has been one of my biggest supporters from the very beginning, from the moment I woke up from my coma. So, I’m really swimming for her.” 

While Rutledge acknowledges that friends and family have helped her immensely, perhaps it was Dr. Camilo Castillo at Frazier Rehab in Louisville, Kentucky, whose advice resonated the most. 

“There was one thing Dr. Castillo said that really sticks out,” Rutledge recalled. “I was saying, ‘Why me?’ And she said “Why not you? You can get through this. You can use your ability to impact other people.’ And from that point on, I realized that this isn’t just about me anymore. So I took ‘Why not me?’ and used it to succeed, instead of as an excuse.” 

Rutledge’s emotional resurgence paved the way for her athletic success. And while her life has changed dramatically, she’s also changed the lives of others along the way. 

“I’ve had a lot of people say that I’ve inspired them,” Rutledge said. “People say, ‘Hey I had a spinal cord injury, and you’ve given me hope that I can succeed.’ Or people will say, ‘I don’t have a disability, but you’ve inspired me to get through my own life challenges.’” 

Needless to say, Rutledge has come a long way since April 2023.  

“I used to tell myself that I lost who I am that day,” Rutledge said. “But my mom reminded me that while I may have lost that version of me, I never lost my strength and courage and determination and who I am as a person. I gained a stronger version of myself — and I wouldn’t change anything.” 

This stronger version of Rutledge is also studying at the University of Kentucky to become a sports dietitian. When she isn’t focused on schoolwork, she’s making mental plans of winning medals in LA.  

“I have a journal that I write in every day,” she said. “I write affirmations that I’m going to make it, that I’m going to medal, that I’m going to be a Paralympian.” 

It’s hard to blame Rutledge for dreaming big. Why shouldn’t she reach for the stars? After all, she knows that nothing in the pool, or in life, is guaranteed. 

“Life humbles you all the time,” Rutledge said. “It reminds you that you have no idea what can happen tomorrow, so you have to focus on living every single day.” 

Drew Silverman is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.