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Hi. My name is Hannah Meyer. This summer I am registered for four Open Water Swimming Races that all benefit ALS Research. My goal is to raise $5,000 for each race.
My Story:
I have been a swimmer my whole life. I was fortunate enough to attend Seton Hall University on a Swimming Scholarship. During college I tore both of my shoulders and my career was quickly ended. After two major shoulder surgeries, I came back as a shell of my former self and finished my college career. I walked away from the sport after graduating from college in 2010 and went into the professional world.
The side effects of my shoulder trauma followed me wherever I went. I experienced migraines, shooting pain and loss of feeling in my arms. I swore that I would never swim again. I was angry at swimming for ruining my life.
In 2015 I was struck from behind while sitting idle at a red light by a drunk driver who was going 45mph. This impact propelled my vehicle fifteen feet and slammed me into the stopped car infront of me. From this accident I am a candidate for lumbar disc (spinal) surgery to correct my L3, L4 and L5 and I now have disc implants in my C6 and C7. From my accident I suffer from cervial and lumbar ridiculopathy which meants that I lose feeling down my neck, both arms and down the backs of my legs. I experience nerve pain and migraine headaches on a daily basis. Doctors originally thought I was experiencing signs and symptoms of ALS and I was tested twice for the disease. Both tests came up negative, but since then I've become hyper aware of the disease.
In November 2016 I moved back to my home town of Naperville, Illinois and was reinspired to start to swim again. With the help of my coach and mentor, Nora Schroedter, I made the decision to get back in the water...but this time for a cause. One of my clients suggested ALS (A Long Swim) and the rest is history.
I have pledged myself to three A Long Swim races this summer, with my final fundraisining swim being the Amsterdam City Swim in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 4, 2017. For each of my races, I would like to raise $5,000 to donate on race day!
ALS is a terrible diagnosis. I am blessed to be able to still swim eventhough I expereience extreme pain on a daily basis. At the end of the day, I can swim and those with ALS can not. So I now swim for those who can't.
Please help me along my journey!
My Story:
I have been a swimmer my whole life. I was fortunate enough to attend Seton Hall University on a Swimming Scholarship. During college I tore both of my shoulders and my career was quickly ended. After two major shoulder surgeries, I came back as a shell of my former self and finished my college career. I walked away from the sport after graduating from college in 2010 and went into the professional world.
The side effects of my shoulder trauma followed me wherever I went. I experienced migraines, shooting pain and loss of feeling in my arms. I swore that I would never swim again. I was angry at swimming for ruining my life.
In 2015 I was struck from behind while sitting idle at a red light by a drunk driver who was going 45mph. This impact propelled my vehicle fifteen feet and slammed me into the stopped car infront of me. From this accident I am a candidate for lumbar disc (spinal) surgery to correct my L3, L4 and L5 and I now have disc implants in my C6 and C7. From my accident I suffer from cervial and lumbar ridiculopathy which meants that I lose feeling down my neck, both arms and down the backs of my legs. I experience nerve pain and migraine headaches on a daily basis. Doctors originally thought I was experiencing signs and symptoms of ALS and I was tested twice for the disease. Both tests came up negative, but since then I've become hyper aware of the disease.
In November 2016 I moved back to my home town of Naperville, Illinois and was reinspired to start to swim again. With the help of my coach and mentor, Nora Schroedter, I made the decision to get back in the water...but this time for a cause. One of my clients suggested ALS (A Long Swim) and the rest is history.
I have pledged myself to three A Long Swim races this summer, with my final fundraisining swim being the Amsterdam City Swim in Amsterdam, Netherlands on September 4, 2017. For each of my races, I would like to raise $5,000 to donate on race day!
ALS is a terrible diagnosis. I am blessed to be able to still swim eventhough I expereience extreme pain on a daily basis. At the end of the day, I can swim and those with ALS can not. So I now swim for those who can't.
Please help me along my journey!