Paralympian Sue Moucha

Florida Sanctions Chair Sue Moucha is featured in the St Petersburg Times article on Janyary 5, 2007 "A winner at athletics, but more so in life" by Ernest Hooper. She wrote the December 2006 USMS Fitness Article of the Month, From Therapy to a World Record. In 2003 Sue received the Florida LMSC's first Overcoming Adversity Award.

She writes her story below:

Masters swimming has given me the opportunity to stay fit. Having had years of physical therapy growing up, I refuse to let all those years go to waste. Swimming is the ideal situation for me.

Being a very goal oriented person, swimming has enabled me to set goals, see the benchmarks along the way (daily practice sessions), and fulfill my goals (swim meet events). Swimming has given me a concrete purpose for all my training sessions, and swimming has enabled me to say, "I have a gold medal and own a world record" (World Disabled Swimming Championships, New Zealand, 1998—4x50 free relay). Also, I am a four-time Paralympian with five swimming medals.

One must set a goal, always remain focused on the goal, constantly work towards the goal, and never give up until the goal is obtained.

Swimming has afforded me the opportunity to compete against disabled athletes, and the confidence to take the next step—compete against able-bodied athletes. I enjoy challenging my potential constantly. Swimming did not come easy to me. I had to change my attitude and start small. I would concentrate on being out in the fresh air. The accessibility to year-round swimming with coaching allows me to constantly work at my stroke efficiency. I am having fun!

Being a very serious minded person, swimming has been the means for me to succeed over the years. To be content with what I have accomplished but not complacent. Swimming has enabled me to move forward in life.