- Jasmine Greenwood suffered brain damage from a stroke
- Champion Australian swimmer had to learn to walk again
- Now he hopes to excel at the Paralympic Games in Paris
Jasmine Greenwood survived a bizarre double stroke as a child that left her brain damaged, but the Australian swimming medalist says she is grateful for her ‘amazing life’.
Greenwood’s life was turned upside down as a six-year-old when she suffered a double stroke caused by appendicitis.
She spent weeks in intensive care and then suffered an acute brain injury. She was lucky to be alive.
The youngster from Sussex Inlet on the NSW south coast had to relearn how to walk, dress and perform other daily tasks.
Swimmer Jasmine Greenwood survived a double stroke that damaged her brain
Greenwood is now loving her life as a Paralympic swimmer
“It was obviously very difficult and it completely changed the course of my life,” the now 19-year-old said Broad sports world.
“Before this, I was completely physically healthy, I was a completely normal, healthy child, and all it took was a little illness to take that away from me very quickly, and I almost lost my life.
“But in saying that, I love the way my life has unfolded so far and I’m very grateful for what has happened and the experiences I’ve been able to have.”
Greenwood doesn’t remember much about the incident that changed her life, but part of her rehabilitation involved swimming.
She never really liked the sport as a child, but she quickly got better at it and made it to the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where she won a silver medal.
Despite her amazing recovery, the left side of Greenwood’s body will always be weaker than the right and she suffers from some other complications.
“Some people die of a stroke, some people are in a wheelchair for the rest of their lives, some people can’t talk, can’t eat, can’t be independent,” she says.
“So I try not to be too sad about my situation and I really try to be grateful.
Greenwood, who goes swimming in Paris, says she has a great life
“I have such a great life now, despite what happened.”
With only 100 days left until the opening of the Paralympic Games in Paris, Greenwood is looking forward to competing and there is every chance to grab more medals.
‘I won my first international medal at the age of 14 and I didn’t really take it into account at the time, I didn’t realize how big an achievement that was, so I think whatever happens from now on I should be proud of what I have achieved. “I have already done it and the effort I continue to make,” she said.
‘What motivates me every day is that I think things can always be better.
“It’s also inspiring to know that I might inspire other people.”