Making Waves: Laura's Journey

For as long as I can remember, I have felt the spirit of athleticism in me. Growing up, I participated in track in middle school and high school. As much as I loved being part of a team and running, that was all it was for me. There was no one I could truly compete against, no one I could turn on the television and see a part of myself in. Ten years later, I went to a wheelchair basketball camp. At twenty-two this was my first exposure to athletes with disabilities who competed at an international level. From there, a dream was born.
For the first time in my life, I realized there was a world out there where I could not just feel that spirit of athleticism, but be the athlete I always knew I was. I chose to attend graduate school in Alabama where I could have more opportunities to access sport. It was there, I fell in love with the sport of swimming- and decided that this was the sport I wanted to pursue.

 Seven years ago, I started along this path. For me, this means travel costs in order to attend practice, meets (both local and out of state), meet fees, and coaching fees (I currently am privately coached  in addition to my swim team coaches).


I am asking for a donation to help me attend US Paralympic nationals in 1 week.However, this isn't just my dream I ask you to stand behind. It is about raising awareness so that more people will know what the Paralympics is, media support so those with disabilities can turn on the television and see athletes that are like them, for young people with disabilities to have the opportunity to participate in athletics without having to travel outside their communities, and to demonstrate that no matter how old you are, it is never too late to go after your dreams.


Thanks for your support!


Laura Dennison