MALLORY WEGGEMANN - 2012 Paralympic Gold Medalist Mallory Weggemann had her life changed on January 21, 2008. A routine epidural to help treat back pain left the college freshman paralyzed from the waist down. However, having been a competitive swimmer since the age of seven, she found one thing unchanged – her love for swimming. On April 8, 2008, Mallory returned to the pool, and has been breaking national and world records ever since. However, just days before the 2012 Paralympics, a controversial decision to move Mallory up a class left her competing against swimmers with full use of their legs. Nonetheless, she defied the odds and won Gold in the 50m freestyle, which became one of the signature races during the Games. An unfortunate accident in 2008 left her paralyzed, but didn't keep her down, as she has gone on to become one of the best Paralympic swimmers in the world. - Mallory currently holds 15 World Records & 33 American Records, she is the 2011 ESPN ESPY winner for Best Female Athlete with a Disability, and is the 2009, 2010 and 2011 USA Swimming Disabled Swimmer of the Year. Book Mallory Weggemann at Speakers.com. [ Ссылка ]
