Roundup: Books, Documentaries And Prince Harry — American Swimmers Pack It In Ahead Of Paris

Every other week we scour the web for the latest going on in the world of U.S. Para swimming. Here’s what you missed!

Long Getting Bookish… Again!

It was just last year that Jessica Long released her debut children’s book, “The Mermaid With No Tail,” and now she’s getting ready to release another title. This new offering, titled “Beyond the Surface,” is for an older audience.

From her website: “In each chapter, Jessica reveals the resources and support that allowed her to overcome hardship — and translates them into practices and reflections to help you create a bedrock of self-acceptance that you can rely on even through the most difficult times. She also encourages you to look outward at the world around you — to question and challenge the cultural narrative and systemic forces that stand in the way of a more inclusive and equitable society.”

Long recently took to social media to share the pending release of the book this October, writing, “It’s a deeper dive into my story: the good and the bad, the beautiful and the most achingly challenging moments. I want you to see my daring just as much as my disappointments, the full journey to who I am. 

“But this is not just about me. My hope is that it will inspire you to find your own path to unconditional self-acceptance and cultivate self-love even in the most difficult moments. ♥️”

The book is available for preorder now. 

A Prince Of A Time

Sergeant First Class Elizabeth Marks is a proud member of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program and getting ready to compete at her third Paralympic Games. Recently, however, she graced the stage at the ESPYS along with fellow military members to present Prince Harry with the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The award recognized his role in the Invictus Games as well as his military service.

Marks wrote: “It’s always fun celebrating other people. Doing so with people that celebrate you = the best part of this big beautiful military family. Proud to know and love you guys.”

School’s In Session, Part 1

Anastasia Pagonis, who’s preparing to compete at her second Paralympic Games, has a massive social media following and she often uses her platform to share insights into her world, including how she navigates life with vision loss. That includes sharing some of the nuances of Para swimming, and recently she posted about how swimmers in her particular classification, who may have different forms of vision loss, have to use blackout goggles to make sure everyone’s seeing the same thing.

Which is to say … blackness. 

She wrote, “Do you think you would be able to do this?” explaining in the video that she swims as fast as she can toward the wall … without being able to see a thing. 

School’s In Session, Part 2

Lizzi Smith, who’s soon to be a three-time Paralympian, has a bionic hand that she calls Zeus, and it attracts a lot of attention when she’s out and about. She recently shared a video explaining exactly how it works, inviting her followers to post their questions.

Smith wrote: “Zeus is amazing and for the most part I love how curious people are about it. Everyone gets to feel differently about answering questions that involve their disability. For me, I have days where I love engaging and some days when I’m just exhausted by it and want to blend in. So I wanted to make this space one where you can ask whatever you want to know about using a bionic hand 😊🦾”

From Paris to Oxford

Summer Schmit’s big 2024 will continue this fall. Schmit graduated from the University of Minnesota in May, made her second Paralympic team in June and recently announced that she’ll next be attending Oxford University.

She wrote:  “I’m so excited to continue my education this fall through @oxford_uni to pursue my Master’s of Science in Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching!”

Drop Morgan A Note

While preparing for her second Paralympic Games, Morgan Stickney has also spent a lot of time in the hospital over the last year. Now’s your chance to show her just how much you’re rooting for her in Paris by sending a little something her way!

She wrote, “I am so unbelievably excited to represent Team USA at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games!! As most of you know, my journey to get here has been anything but easy. I’ve spent a third of the last year inpatient in the hospital battling this beast of a disease. But I’ve learned to find beauty in the midst of tragedy. I’d love to collect cards, letters, or anything inspirational so that I will know each and every one of you are alongside me in Paris ❤️ If you’d like to help me feel inspired and loved across the world, please feel free to send letters, cards, or small packages to:

Morgan Stickney

PMB #316

1249 Kildare Farm Road
Cary NC 27511

Open It Up

Taylor Winnett, who’ll make her Paralympic debut in Paris, isn’t just a master of the pool. She’s also an open water swimmer, and announced that she’ll be returning in September to the Sardinia World Para Swimming Open Water Cup to defend her silver medal in the women’s 3K S7-S10. 

She wrote: “I’m thankful for the many opportunities that God has given me through this sport, and I look forward to Open Water becoming a World Championships and Paralympic Games event one day!” 

Stream Weggeman’s Watershed Now

Mallory Weggemann and husband Jay Snyder chronicled their journey to becoming parents through IVF in the documentary “Watershed,” and she announced recently that fans can now view the film on Peacock.

The five-time Paralympic medalist wrote, “In celebration of WATERSHED releasing on @peacock today we take a look back to our premiere in LA last week at The Grove. We are so excited for all that is to come for this film, but mostly we are looking forward to sharing it with all of you.  You can stream WATERSHED now on Peacock! 🍿” 

Young Leadership

Colleen Young will be competing in her fourth Paralympic Games in Paris, and she recently had the chance to share her story at the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum. She wrote, “I’m an alumni of the forum and being able to share my journey in swimming and outside the pool is something that I’m so grateful to do. Thank you to everyone who I worked with to get me there!”

Hill’s Falling… And Falling…

Jamal Hill’s swimming career has already taken him to some great heights, but recently he brought his followers along as he took a swift trip back to earth. Literally.

Hill went skydiving, and brought the camera along for the ride. He wrote:

“DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AS ME

“I got too excited about going to the games later this summer and jumped out of the plane over the wrong Perris. 🤦🏾‍♂️

“Make sure your tickets are booked for Paris, France 🇫🇷 and wait until the plane lands before you open the door. I promise to wait until you arrive to, win.
Safety first 😜”

Karen Price is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has covered Olympic and Paralympic sports for various publications. She is a freelance contributor to USParaSwimming.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.