Meet The Co-Captains
TeamUP Co-Captain
Taylor Swanson
Click Here For Quick Facts
LIVES IN Spokane, WA
CURRENTLY WORKING AS Office Administrator at Evergreen Prosthetics and Orthotics
DEVELOPED FOOT DROP AS RESULT OF Cerebral Palsy and Surgical Complications
ADVICE I WOULD PASS ALONG: Be willing to try and don’t be afraid of falling. I’d rater fall trying than never giving it my all.
FUN FACT: I color pre-race to help my control nerves pre-race recommended by counselor.
As a child, I was very shy and quiet and struggled with academics. But I loved being active and immediately fell in love with sports. That is where I gained my confidence, and I was no longer just the student who struggled in the classroom. Even though I ended up with many injuries due to falling and running in to things due to poor body awareness, I didn’t let it stop me. And for awhile, I was still able to keep up with my peers.
It wasn’t until 2023 that a chance encounter with Parasport Spokane would change everything. I ended up in Spokane for a track meet where I would find out that I have Cerebral Palsy. After more tests with neurology it was confirmed that I have Cerebral Palsy. Finally at 30 years old I would get the diagnosis that would put everything in perspective and make sense of the struggles I had growing up.
In 2022 I began wearing an AFO. I didn’t know much about AFO’s or if they would work. I broke so many AFO’s until we figured out the right AFOs that would hold up. We found the Allard Flow 2.5 that allowed me to walk without dragging my foot/toes on the ground or falling.
I run the 100M and 200M as an athlete with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy makes me get fatigued faster and also causes increased spasticity when I push my body to my limit. This means that I also wear a second Allard AFO for after a tough practice or after I race to help me recover faster or if I’m having a bad day. For these circumstances I need more support so I wear the Allard Blue Rocker for those occasions.
I work at Evergreen Prosthetics and Orthotics and they have worked hard to help me find the best equipment so that I can not only function in my everyday life but also in my sport. I’ve learned so much about a variety of AFOs and have loved helping others see that AFOs will help not hinder you. I think it helps when they see I’m wearing one that AFOs do not need to stop you from enjoying your life and going after your dreams! My orthotist and I have glittered a few of my AFOs to show off my disability and my brace rather than hiding it.
In 2024 I made Team USA where I was honored to compete at Para World Championships AND the Paris Paralympic Games. I won a silver medal in the 100M and a bronze medal in the Universal Relay. I am looking forward to continuing to compete and represent Team USA in hopes of making LA 2028 Paralympics!
Beyond athletics I’ve developed a passion of inspiring and helping other with disabilities and especially bringing awareness to Cerebral Palsy. I enjoy being a motivational speaker so that I can help others in similar circumstances that whether acquired or congenital that you can thrive and excel with your disability and achieve your dreams!
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