Emma Roberts started swimming as a form of therapy. Now, the Asheville teen will compete as a member of the USA National Paralympic Swim Team.
Roberts was born with fibular hemimelia, a condition that resulted in a leg length discrepancy and numerous surgeries growing up.
Because physical rehabilitation was the primary reason she was in the pool, Roberts said she was always focused on strength and recovery rather than speed.
It wasn’t until she joined the YMCA of Western North Carolina’s Piranhas competition swim team that she started to realize she could build upon that strength to develop her speed and confidence.
“Emma has been working really hard for the past couple of years to just continue improving,” said Kirk Hampleman, the Piranhas coach.
And improve she has. Roberts earned her spot on the team just three months after competing in her first para meet.
Watch Roberts swim and follow along as she competes this season.
