It's been a reality check that my muscles are still really affected by my spinal cord injury, but it's also been super empowering to see how much I'm capable of.
'Good Life' was my gold-medal song and is what I sing when I need to get focused and keep calm. It also just makes me super happy, and I love jamming out.
I'm honored to be a part of the #ShowEm campaign because it recognizes the importance of who we are at our core and what drives us to become who we want to be, no matter what obstacles we face. Jockey has given me a platform to show people that the impossible can be possible if you keep fighting and believing.
I was written off as a lost cause. But I'm living proof that miracles can happen.
The big thing for me is just continuing to be a beacon of hope. And showing people that nothing is impossible.
It started off with flu-like symptoms and pain; then, I started feeling really funny. In two weeks, I was paralyzed from the waist down, and it spiraled down from there. Every ability I had was slowly slipping away.
At some points, hope was the only thing I had. When I began my journey toward walking again, I clung to hope like a life raft.
The traditional tango is really staccato, but with the Argentine tango, you have to be really sexy and saucy.
When you have a spinal or brain injury, or any kind of devastating illness, you kind of fall through the cracks in a sense. Your world implodes, and no one is really there to help pick up the pieces.
I grew up a swimmer. I didn't think I could swim without the use of my legs.
While paralyzed, I won a gold and three silver medals as a competitive swimmer.
I know from my experience as a swimmer that you put in the work and practice, and come game day, your body is ready, and you just have to trust your training.
My hope is to be the first disabled swimmer on an able-bodied team at the Y Nationals.
I was told it couldn't be done. My dream was impossible. But on March 3, 2016, after spending 10 years in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down, I took my first steps without assistance. That was no easy task.
