February 2018

In the autumn of 2017 I spent six weeks traveling in Ireland. Early in my trip I unexpectedly ended up in Killarney. In my few days there I found that Killarney not only had an incredible traditional & modern music scene, great food & pubs, theater, and amazing opportunities for accessible outdoor activities, but it also had an award-winning hostel right in the heart of town and less than a quarter-mile from the Killarney National Park. I wanted in on that, but it would have to wait for my next trip back to Ireland...in six weeks.

In the summer of 2003, I was a 13-year-old girl who loved the Backstreet Boys & American Girl dolls and dreamed of traveling the world. I wanted to be a veterinarian, live in New York City, and own a bunch of cats. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd one day compete as an international soccer player. That summer I was introduced to power (wheelchair) soccer at MDA Camp. Of course at the time I had no idea this sport would have any effect on me, much less change my life.

Two years after I had decided that I was going to be a Paralympian no matter what it took, I got the first opportunity I was looking for. After hours in the gym every day and applying to colleges with wheelchair basketball teams so I could get quality coaching, I earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Illinois and made their team. This was a huge step on the road to Rio.

It has been 10 years since I was in that motorcycle accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down. I was 18 when that happened, and I had no idea what the future held. But if you were to ask me back then if I thought I would be where I am today: graduated with a Master's degree in social work and about to start working towards my dream job of becoming an Assistive Technology Professional, along with having won a Gold Medal in the Paralympics...I would have said yes. Being the best that I can be, whatever it is that I do, is the driving force inside of me.