Hi, I’m Aspen Shelton, a blind and paralyzed Paralympic Swimmer for Team USA.
I was born prematurely at 26 weeks, weighing just one pound and 12 ounces, and was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 3 with a plus disease, as well as a few other eye conditions.
With the exception of an IEP in school for accommodations, I grew up somewhat removed from the blind and visually impaired community, and I didn’t start learning how to use a cane until the age of 16.
I wasn’t able to do contact sports for fear of retinal detachment, so I competed in swimming – against my able-bodied peers – and had great success, going to start, sectionals, zones, etc.
Becoming a part of Team USA
In 2016, I was made aware of the Paralympics, and decided to pursue trying to make the Paralympic Team for Tokyo 2020. I had immediate success, earning a spot on the National team my first meet, and getting an invitation to go to the World Series Event in Berlin where I earned a World record and multiple medals.
After my success at the World Series event, I went on to go to the World Championships, Pan-Pacific Championships, Pan-American Games, Nationals, and other World Series Events, medaling at all. I even graduated high school early with honors to go live at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center to pursue my dreams.
Facing unanticipated challenges
Throughout 2019, my health began to decline – and in November of 2019, I had a stroke before Nationals.
Despite this, I competed at Nationals and did well. However, after the meet, my medical team deemed it unsafe for me to swim. I needed to figure out what was going on medically, so I went home to Texas, right before Covid-19 hit. While in Texas, in the midst of Covid-19, I was admitted to the hospital for a battery of testing where it was found I had a brain tumor in the center of my brain.
I eventually had surgery to remove the tumor. Upon waking up from surgery, I was totally blind and paralyzed on my left side.
I was devastated; however, my medical problems weren’t over: not even a month later, I was back in the hospital fighting to stay alive after being diagnosed with meningitis and hydrocephalus, further worsening my health issues.
I ended up going to an inpatient day neuro rehabilitation center to re-learn how to function on a daily basis, learning how to walk, talk, stay awake for more than an hour a day, and much more all over again.
Keep swimming
I was determined to return to what I deemed “normal,” so I began classes online at Loyola University Maryland while attending day neuro, with the goals of attending school in person in the Fall and returning to the pool.
I not only achieved my goals, but surpassed them! I attended school in person the Fall of 2021 and returned to the pool, swimming for the Division 1 team and learning how to swim again with my new disabilities.
I recently graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in communications with specializations in Public Relations and Advertising and a minor in Biology from Loyola University Maryland and I am currently pursing my master’s degree.
About Aspen Shelton
Aspen Shelton is a blind and paralyzed Paralympic Swimmer for Team USA, and a recent graduate of Loyola University Maryland. She is a brain tumor survivor who has a passion for disability advocacy, service dog access rights, and brain tumor awareness. Aspen enjoys being outdoors, riding horses, playing the piano, and being with family and friends.
Follow Aspen on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Bonus: Aspen’s guide dog, Lake, is also on Instagram.
