Help Jessica achieve her Tokyo 2020 goal! Your much-needed donations will go towards transporting Jessica (and her guide, Lauren Babineau) to racing events and paying for race fees, training, coaching and related equipment needed heading into the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
Jessica Tuomela is a 33-year-old former Canadian Paralympic swimmer from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is also a registered massage therapist, violin-player, proud dog-owner and avid athlete!
Jessica has been an inspiration to us all, since day 1. Despite the trauma of being fully blinded by retinoblastoma at age 3, Jessica has never shied away from any challenges that come her way. Quite the opposite. She has always pushed herself to be the best she can be – and she has achieved incredible things as a result.
Becoming a three-time Paralympian is just one of Jessica’s many accomplishments. During her 8 years of swimming for team Canada, Jessica raced in countries all over the world. Her impressive career highlights include:
· Winning a silver medal in women’s 50 m freestyle at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
· Placing 4th in 50 m freestyle at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
· Winning 2 gold medals in the 100 m breaststroke and 100 m backstroke and 2 silver medals in the 50 and 100 m freestyle at the 2007 Parapan Ams in Rio, Brazil.
· Setting 5 Canadian swimming records.
Equally inspiring, however, is what Jessica has been able to accomplish outside of the pool. With a lot of hard work and dedication, she became a registered massage therapist and completed her master’s degree in social work. With Jessica's continued passion for competitive sport she pursued the opportunity to race in a triathlon and in July of 2016, she raced her first triathlon – posting (unsurprisingly) a fast open water swim time.
Now, Jessica has a new goal. Competing in the 2020 Paralympic Games as a triathlete! The 2020 Paralympic Games is a lofty dream, but she has joined forces with powerhouse Lauren Babineau as her guide. Their determination, passion and strength will be a driving force over the next two years, where they will be amongst the privileged and dedicated athletes competing at the Paralympic Games.
Thank you so much for your support and you can also follow Jess’s progress (and adventures!) on Twitter .
Together, we can make Jessica’s Tokyo 2020 dream a reality.
Toronto Sun - June 2018 - https://torontosun.com/sports/olympics/babineau-and-tuomelas-friendship-helps-them-make-waves-in-paratriathlon
CHEK TV - June 2018 - https://www.cheknews.ca/blind-triathlete-showing-signs-of-podium-potential-458009/
YouTube video of Jessica's Journey - June 2017 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVneazEdHBw&feature=youtu.be
Best,
The Tuomela Family
Jessica Tuomela is a 33-year-old former Canadian Paralympic swimmer from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is also a registered massage therapist, violin-player, proud dog-owner and avid athlete!
Jessica has been an inspiration to us all, since day 1. Despite the trauma of being fully blinded by retinoblastoma at age 3, Jessica has never shied away from any challenges that come her way. Quite the opposite. She has always pushed herself to be the best she can be – and she has achieved incredible things as a result.
Becoming a three-time Paralympian is just one of Jessica’s many accomplishments. During her 8 years of swimming for team Canada, Jessica raced in countries all over the world. Her impressive career highlights include:
· Winning a silver medal in women’s 50 m freestyle at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
· Placing 4th in 50 m freestyle at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece.
· Winning 2 gold medals in the 100 m breaststroke and 100 m backstroke and 2 silver medals in the 50 and 100 m freestyle at the 2007 Parapan Ams in Rio, Brazil.
· Setting 5 Canadian swimming records.
Equally inspiring, however, is what Jessica has been able to accomplish outside of the pool. With a lot of hard work and dedication, she became a registered massage therapist and completed her master’s degree in social work. With Jessica's continued passion for competitive sport she pursued the opportunity to race in a triathlon and in July of 2016, she raced her first triathlon – posting (unsurprisingly) a fast open water swim time.
Now, Jessica has a new goal. Competing in the 2020 Paralympic Games as a triathlete! The 2020 Paralympic Games is a lofty dream, but she has joined forces with powerhouse Lauren Babineau as her guide. Their determination, passion and strength will be a driving force over the next two years, where they will be amongst the privileged and dedicated athletes competing at the Paralympic Games.
Thank you so much for your support and you can also follow Jess’s progress (and adventures!) on Twitter .
Together, we can make Jessica’s Tokyo 2020 dream a reality.
Toronto Sun - June 2018 - https://torontosun.com/sports/olympics/babineau-and-tuomelas-friendship-helps-them-make-waves-in-paratriathlon
CHEK TV - June 2018 - https://www.cheknews.ca/blind-triathlete-showing-signs-of-podium-potential-458009/
YouTube video of Jessica's Journey - June 2017 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVneazEdHBw&feature=youtu.be
Best,
The Tuomela Family