| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1997 (age 14–15) Sao Carlos, Brazil |
| Residence | Springfield, Virginia, USA |
| Height | 18 inches (460 mm) (2010) |
| Weight | 45 pounds (20 kg) (2011) |
| Sport | |
| Sport |
Wheelchair racing |
| Event(s) |
All Events - Track |
| Team | FISH swim team, McLean, VA |
| Coached by | Andy Ciprano |
Jessica Rogers is an accomplished athlete participating in Wheelchair basketball, wheelchair racing and numerous swimming events. She is also the founder of the Caudal Regression Syndrome Association, an organization for information sharing, support, and networking.
Contents |
Rogers has lumbo sacral agenesis/caudal regression syndrome and bilateral leg amputations. Her spine ends at approximately T 7-10. She has resulting paralysis and very small lower anatomy. She has one kidney.
Rogers spent the first part of her life in an isolated crib in a care facility for adults with severe cognitive limitations. She was adopted from Brazil into a single parent household by Phyllis Rogers, as one of eight children, all of whom have disabilities. Three of her brothers and sisters are hearing-impaired, whilst Jessica uses a wheelchair. Rogers overcame her initial delays and proved to be a determined and bright young lady.[1]
In July 2005, Rogers made national headlines while attending the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) in Tampa, Florida. She was there to participate in the 25-meter breast stroke event. Rogers and her family took a side trip to Busch Gardens. While at the park Rogers was denied access to three Busch Gardens rides, including the 6-inch-deep kiddy water rapids. Ride attendants at Busch Gardens called their managers and turned her away, not wanting to be responsible if she were hurt.
When Rogers returned to the NJDC games the next day, her wheelchair carried a sign asking fellow athletes to boycott Busch Gardens because of this incident. After going to the news media about the Busch Gardens incident, Busch Gardens later on allowed Jessica on some of the park's rides.[2]
Documentaries and other television appearances include:
| First aired | Title | Episode | Distributor | Produced by | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 18, 2006 | REBUILT: The Human Body Shop | A Child's Courage | Discovery Health Channel | D.T. Slouffman | Freddie Award-winning Discovery Channel series |
| October 2006 | News Report: Kicking For Kids Who Can't | None | WUSA9 News - Washington D.C. area | Emily Smitt | 2006 Emmy Winner |
Jessica Rogers is the founding member of The Caudal Regression Syndrome (CRS) Association, the only known active association offering information, support, and networking for persons with CRS and their families- anywhere in the world. Jessica started the association as a way to bring together these resources after years of finding it hard to find others who have CSR and even information on her condition of lumbo sacral agenesis/caudal regression syndrome.[3]
Jessica Rogers started participating in her first organized sport activity at the age five years. Since that time Jessica has taken part in numerous sporting events which have included wheelchair racing, field, Ice sledge hockey, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and hand cycling. In spite of the fact Jessica has to coordinate both the schedule and the expense of her many activities with the demands of 7 other siblings in her family, she has demonstrated her abilities in many areas. On the basketball court Jessica is fearless and fast and can read the court well.
Her hook shot under pressure has resulted in team wins on numerous occasions. She always has an encouraging word for other players and has worked with younger players to help them develop their skills. A frequent participant in the National Junior Disability Championships with her team, the Bennett Blazers, she had to stop competing when she outgrew her racing wheelchair.
2010 the IM Able Foundation a organization whose goal is to help disabled individuals find the physical fitness modality that meets their needs, put Rogers back on track, literally, with a new racing wheechair. The same year she returned to wheelchair racing Rogers went on to gold in the 100, 200, 400 and 800-meter events at the 2010 NJDC.[4]
In 2009 aged 12 Rogers joined FISH, a local Potomac Valley Swimming team and USA Swimming Club member. Rogers was an unknown to the Potomac Valley Swim leagues, but had already made her mark on the junior national scene as a record holder in 7 swimming events. The resion Jessica says she joined FISH looking was she was looking for some training closer to home to help her bridge the gap between junior championships and Paralympics level swimming.Jessica trains at the new FISH location, Audrey Moore RECenter at Wakefield Park, under the direction of Coach Julie and Coach Megan.
Paralympic athletes are classed according to the impact their level of disability has on their swimming. Jessica swims in an S-4 classification, meaning that she is using only her arms for swimming. In 2009, Jessica Rogers competed in the Eastern Regional Junior Disability Meet in New Jersey. She swam in 8 events, placing first in all, and easily qualifying for junior nationals. Most importantly, Jessica's times have dropped significantly, so that she now meets the official cut off times in all of these events for the Paralympic Trials.
Roger's current goal is to make the 2012 USA Paralympics team, swimming in 50M and 100M events at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, in London, England.[5]
In 2011 Jessica Rogers was selected by SPORTS 'N SPOKES Magazine as their Junior Athlete of the Year. As Prt of her winnings for being selected Junior Althete of the Year, Jessica received a beautifully engraved plaque, a year's subscription to SPORTS 'N SPOKES, and a brand new custom fitted wheelchair courtesy of TiLite Wheelchairs.[4]
Awards and Achievements include: