Paralympic Swimmer Jessica Long on Training for the London 2012 Olympics
Jessica Long was born with Fibular hemimelia, a condition that left her without ankles, heels, calf bones, and most of the other body parts in lower legs and feet. Her parents adopted her from a Russian orphanage, and when she was eighteen months old, doctors amputated the remaining parts of her lower legs so that she could be fitted for prosthetics and learn to walk. Though Jessica successfully learned how to walk, it was underwater where she thrived. At age ten, Jessica began swimming and found that even without legs, she could beat able-bodied athletes. Only two years later, Jessica became the youngest member of the Paralympic team at age twelve. Read on to learn about her charity work, favorite music, and experiences with bullying.
1/7This 20-year-old gold medalist competes in the international sporting event for athletes with physical disabilities, and is the current world record holder in 20 races.
Photo: U.S. Paralympics2/7"I'm a bilateral amputee; I was born with Fibular hemimelia. I've had multiple surgeries and prosthetics, but I never needed physical therapy—my parents told me that when I was two years old, I walked on my own! I've always loved sports. For about six years, I did gymnastics, and I competed on the high bar without my prosthetics on. When I walk around on my knees with my prosthetics off, it can cause nerve damage, so my parents gave me an ultimatum: continue gymnastics with prosthetics or don't continue at all. I didn't want to wear my legs, so gymnastics was out of the picture."
"I joined my local swim team when I was ten, and no one on the team treated me any differently. Most people didn't even realize I was missing my legs until I got out of the pool. Some of my best victories were against able-bodied swimmers."
Photo: U.S. Paralympics3/7"At local swim meet, someone approached me and said that my times were good enough to qualify for Paralympics. I had no idea what they were! A lot of people still confuse them with the Special Olympics, which are for people with cognitive disabilities—everyone that competes is considered a winner, everyone goes home with a gold medal. The Paralympics are for people with physical disabilities—there are amputees and visual impaired participants, and not everyone receives a medal."
"Growing up, it was hard. I never even wore shorts in the summer because I didn't want anyone to see my legs. But I walked out of my first Paralympic swim meet in shorts, and just didn't care anymore. That's really what the Paralympics are all about—being around people who inspire you to embrace who you are."
Photo: U.S. Paralympics4/7"My first Paralympic trial was when I was twelve years old at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, and my parents didn't expect me to make the team. I was determined, and I became the youngest member on the team. I actually wound up coming out of the Paralympics that year with three gold medals—again, the youngest ever, and again, a huge shock!"
Photo: U.S. Paralympics5/7"I support an orphanage in India. As someone who was adopted, I know how important it is to support people in other countries, and I realize how blessed we are in the United States. I work at lot with Make-a-Wish Foundation, and I also promote active and healthy living with Coca-Cola."
Photo: U.S. Paralympics6/7"When I get up on the block, I always clap my hands three or four times and I shake my arms out. I couldn't image going into the ready room without my iPod—I have to have my music! In Beijing, I was really into angry, aggressive music, but in the recent World Championships, I've been into more calming stuff. Right now, I love 'Umbrella' by Rihanna, 'The Club Can't Handle Me' by Flo Rida, and 'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi. I normally eat bananas before a meet, and I love beef jerky as a snack."
Photo: U.S. Paralympics7/7"I swim nine times a week, workout in the weight room three times a week, do yoga four to five time a week, Pilates two times a week, and cardio three times a week. It's a lot, but I love it. For the most part, I never run into any discrimination or bullying, but I can't hide the fact that I'm the girl with no legs. A lot of people approach me and are immensely supportive, but some are not really sure how to act. But when I'm in the water, I truly think I'm a mermaid."
