I was born in the Ukraine, but was adopted at the age of 2 and was raised in Avon Lake, Ohio. Growing up with a disability was unique, but I adjusted well to my difference. My mother was an occupational therapist, so I had access to state-of-the-art physical therapy, and I was part of many different adaptive programs and events. When I was 7, I started to swim as a form of therapy. However, I quickly developed an affinity for the sport, and I was always in the pool from then on! At 12, I made my first international competition in Toronto, Canada, and won a silver medal in the 50 meter butterfly as the youngest competitor in the competition. At 13, I switched to competing in track-and-field, and won my first international gold medal in the 400 meters at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Games in Ireland. At 14, I set the world record in my classification for the same 400 meter race, breaking a 20-year standing Canadian record in the process. When I was 16, I was invited to train at SDSU for a summer training program with the Adapted Athletics program, and while training at SDSU, I was selected for the Para-PanAmerican games in Peru, where I was proud to compete for Team USA.

My experience representing Team USA on the international stage helped shape me into who I am today, teaching me grit, poise, perseverance, and the value of giving your all. Through my experiences, I have learned that I am not alone in the world and there are many people just like me. This summer, I wanted to help other adaptive athletes experience the power of sport, so I decided to intern for an adaptive sports organization and found Achieve Tahoe. Upon researching the program, I knew that I would love to be part of the Achieve Tahoe community, this time not as a participant, but as an instructor, providing guidance and mentorship to the participants discovering adaptive recreation for the first time.

So far, I have had such an inspiring summer. One of my favorite memories is giving Brigit, a member of a local group for adults with developmental disabilities, Seadoo rides at the Sierra Summer Sports program. Every time she sees me, she gives me the biggest hug and tells me that she loves going on the Seadoo with me and riding the inner tube at super speeds. Her giggles make me so happy, and I am so glad she gets to let loose and be herself at Achieve Tahoe. Another moment that stays close to my heart is when I taught Julian, a young boy with autism who only speaks Spanish, how to climb at the climbing program. Though communication can be challenging, once he gets going it is so rewarding to see him climbing to the top of the wall while grinning from ear to ear.