American swimmer Leanne Smith has achieved an extraordinary feat by winning Paralympic gold just two years after suffering from a partially collapsed lung. The 36-year-old from Massachusetts claimed victory in the women’s 100m Freestyle S3 at the Paris Paralympic Games with a record time of 1:28.81.
This remarkable win follows an intense period of recovery, during which Leanne Smith faced significant health challenges, including relearning basic functions such as walking, eating, and speaking.
A struggle against the odds
Smith’s journey to gold was far from easy. In 2022, she was rushed to the ER due to difficulty breathing, where she discovered that she had a partially collapsed lung. This led to a rapid deterioration in her health, causing her heart rate and blood pressure to plummet. She was placed on bed rest, which resulted in severe muscle atrophy, affecting her ability to breathe normally, talk, swallow, and even control the muscles around her left eye.
Despite these challenges, Leanne Smith remained hopeful and determined. She underwent intensive rehabilitation, relearning how to speak, swallow, and eat. Throughout her recovery, she maintained her goal of returning to the water, which she described as her source of true happiness.
A triumphant return
Smith’s perseverance paid off as she not only made it to the Paris Paralympic Games but also won gold in the 100m Freestyle S3 event. Reflecting on her victory, she described it as an “emotional” experience, given the struggles she had faced in the past two years. She expressed disbelief and gratitude for being able to overcome her health setbacks and achieve such a monumental success.
In addition to her gold medal, Leanne Smith also won a silver medal in the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 20 Points — Mixed event and finished 9th in the 150m Individual Medley SM4.
Smith’s journey serves as an inspiration to many, showing that even in the face of severe adversity, it is possible to defy the odds and achieve greatness.
Diagnosed with dystonia, a rare neurological muscle disease, in 2012, Leanne Smith began swimming as part of her rehabilitation in 2013. Her determination to shatter expectations and prove that a disability does not define one’s capabilities has motivated others to face similar challenges.
Her story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of never giving up, even when the odds seem insurmountable.