Natalie Chastain represents the USA in Paralympic Boccia. Natalie is classified as a BC3 Boccia athlete. Natalie is part of the Boccia United States team and is seeking your supporther goal of participating in the upcoming World Boccia 2026 Competitions. Each year, Natalie must attend the International Competitions to improve their World Ranking, which will help her qualify for the Paralympic Games in LA in 2028.

This year, she is looking to attend three competitions throughout the world. Throughout the year, she will also attend the USA Boccia Nationals Tournament and multiple training camps. She requests your assistance in raising funds to attend these events, as well as the travel costs and practice time. Below is a little more about us and her needs. For more information on the sport of boccia, CLICK HERE. 

Natalie Chastain -Despite living with cerebral palsy, I've been blessed with an incredible journey as a Boccia athlete. For the past decade, this Paralympic sport has been my passion, escape, sanctuary, and purpose. Boccia has given me a sense of belonging, a community that accepts me for who I am, and a platform to inspire others.

My Boccia career began as a recreational activity, participating in local tournaments. As I progressed and purchased higher-end equipment, my performance improved significantly. Soon after, I received an invitation to join Team USA for my first international tournament in Argentina. I was shocked and thrilled, and I practiced harder than ever before. The hard work paid off, and I won several games individually.

Experiencing new cultures and atmospheres fueled my drive. I continued to train rigorously, leading to invitations to tournaments in Brazil and Rio. Although I didn't win in Rio, the experience was invaluable. The Para Pan American Games opened my eyes to my future potential. My training intensified, and at my last international tournament in Cali, Colombia, I almost won bronze individually and secured silver with my partner. This achievement boosted my confidence, and I'm now focused on preparing for the 2028 Paralympics.

Our Needs

As Natalie explains - being an independent athlete is costly. Unlike many other athletes, my disability does not allow me to have a job to help pay for my journey. As a Paralympic Athlete, I need to practice 20-25 hours a week, but I can only afford 5 hours currently. Equipment, such as a set of balls, can cost $2,000, and a ramp can cost up to $5,000. Additionally, I often have to self-fund travel expenses for tournaments, including airfare and hotel stays for myself and my ramp operator. Due to my level of cerebral palsy, which affects my upper limbs, I cannot grasp and throw the Boccia ball, so I use a ramp and rely on a ramp operator to compete. This doubles my costs. On average, an international competition costs $6,000, including airfare, hotel, and tournament entry fees.

Your support will have a profound impact on her journey:

Every donation, every shared post, and every word of encouragement brings me closer to realizing my dreams. Please consider contributing to my journey and helping me achieve my Paralympic dream.

Another way to support our journey

Every bit of support, whether financial or otherwise, helps Natalie get closer to achieving her Paralympic dream. Thank you for considering these ways to help!