This blog post was written by SportsAbility Alliance Volunteer, Jessi Wynn.

Jessica Long: Inspiring the Next Generation of Adaptive Swimmers 

Jessica Long stands as one of the most decorated Paralympic swimmers in history, a title earned through sheer determination and relentless hard work. Her journey to success has been anything but easy, culminating in an astonishing 30-time Paralympic medalist, world champion, and record holder.

Born on February 29, 1992, in Bratsk, Russia, Jessica faced significant challenges early on. She was born with fibular hemimelia, a condition that necessitated the amputation of both her lower legs when she was just 18 months old. Adopted by an American family at 13 months, Jessica grew up in Baltimore, where she began her path toward becoming a Paralympic legend.

Jessica’s Paralympic career started early—she made her debut at the 2004 Athens Games at just 12 years old. Her determination paid off, as she left the competition with three gold medals. Fast forward to the 2024 Paris Games, where Jessica earned her 30th Paralympic medal in her sixth appearance, further solidifying her legendary status. Fans can look forward to seeing her compete one final time at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

Her achievements continued to mount. In 2006, Jessica broke 18 world records and claimed nine gold medals at the IPC World Swimming Championships. That same year, she earned the title of U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympian of the Year and Disabled Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine.

Jessica's success extended through Beijing 2008, where she secured four Paralympic golds, and the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, where she earned six world titles. Her medal haul continued at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships with three golds, a silver, and a bronze, followed by four more titles in 2015.

Jessica’s impact goes beyond the pool. As a speaker and leader, she inspires others by sharing her insights on women’s leadership, disability inclusion, resilience, and the power of a positive mindset. She challenges corporate leaders and organizations to embrace adversity and transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

Jessica Long’s journey is a testament to perseverance, and she remains an inspiration to countless people worldwide. Reflecting on her achievements, she credits her family’s unwavering support and her own outlook on life. As she states on her website: “With the never-ending support of my family, I understood that the only thing that was going to impact my future was my attitude towards my life.”