KOZAKOWSKA Roza

Classification
F34, T38 (IPC, 16 Apr 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020)

Impairment Details
Her condition is a result of Lyme disease after she was bitten by a tick as a child. It started with paralysis of one hand, but it turned into quadriplegia and muscle spasticity that affects her ability to walk. (onet.pl, 25 Nov 2020; tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020)

General
FROM LONG JUMP TO SHOT PUT
She achieved the qualifying standard in long jump for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her health condition then worsened in 2020 and she was unable to continue competing as a long jumper. Her coach Piotr Kuczek encouraged her to try javelin and shot put from a sitting position. She performed better in shot put and decided to pursue that discipline. "I dream about competing at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo and to go there and fight for the most precious medal that there is. It's a reason why I live and fight every day. My coach says that if I go there and win I should write my autobiography and call it 'Golden Hell' as my journey to success will have been a real hell." (tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020)

DIFFICULT CHILDHOOD
Prior to being infected by Lyme disease as a child, she had been diagnosed with genetic blood disorders and underwent chemotherapy when she was at primary school. She and her mother also endured serious physical abuse at the hands of her stepfather, who was eventually imprisoned for his actions. "He punished me for everything, including my sport achievements. He beat me senseless. I remember that once I returned home very proud with a cup that I had won in a competition and when he saw it he told me that he wanted to end my sport career and beat me, but he didn't stop me. Someone up there in heaven didn't allow that and I was still able to walk and compete. Sport has always put some light of hope in my life." (onet.pl, 25 Nov 2020, 26 Sep 2020; tvp.pl, 08 Sep 2020; pomagam.pl, 01 Jan 2020)