Nautica Martin, a former collegiate swimmer at Florida State University with dreams of competing in the Olympics, has faced a series of challenges that have altered her athletic journey and led her to competing in her first Paralympics at the 2024 games in Paris. After sustaining injuries in car accidents and a freak accident involving a block of ice, Martin experienced health issues that ultimately led to brain surgery. Despite these setbacks, she returned to swimming in 2012 with her sights set on the 2016 Olympics, only to be sidelined by a reinjury to her lower back and a brain bleed caused by the ice incident in 2018.
Martin initially did not realize she was eligible for the Paralympics and was unaware of the requirements to compete in Paralympic sports. Dealing with muscle spasms and immobility in her left side, Martin tried to hide the extent of her disability from others. It wasn’t until she read about Paralympic swimmer Michelle Konkoly, who also has a disability, that Martin began to embrace her own disability and understand that disability does not always match what people expect. Konkoly’s story inspired Martin to redefine what a Paralympian looks like and to raise awareness of the spectrum of eligibility criteria for Paralympic athletes.
Despite facing challenges and questioning of her disability from others, Martin has found her voice and responds to skeptics by saying “I’m just that good,” echoing the sentiment of Paralympic sprinter Nick Mayhugh. Martin acknowledges that athletes like herself, with hidden disabilities such as missing part of the brain or spinal cord cysts, may be viewed as less marketable but believes that sharing her story through media opportunities can help to dispel misconceptions and raise awareness of the diversity of Paralympic athletes. By highlighting the achievements of athletes like herself and Mayhugh, who are fast and successful despite their disabilities, Martin hopes to inspire the next generation of Paralympians to embrace their sports and redefine perceptions of what a Paralympian looks like.
Martin’s journey to the Paralympics has been one of resilience and determination, as she navigated a series of setbacks and health challenges to pursue her athletic dreams. Through her own experience and the stories of other Paralympic athletes, Martin has come to embrace her disability and hopes to raise awareness about the variety of disabilities that can make someone eligible for Paralympic sports. By sharing her story and participating in media opportunities, Martin aims to challenge misconceptions and inspire others to pursue their athletic goals regardless of any disabilities they may have. As she competes in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, Martin embodies the spirit of perseverance and determination that defines the world of Paralympic sports.
