MARKS Elizabeth

Classification
S7, SB6, SM7 (IPC, 15 Mar 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (teamusa.org, 03 Mar 2016)

Impairment Details
In April 2010 she sustained injuries to both hips while on assignment in Iraq as a combat medic for the US Army. She underwent three operations to restructure her hips. An illness in 2012 caused a further reduction in mobility in her legs and decreased her lung capacity, which can lead to disorientation and vision issues when she is swimming. After once again falling ill in 2014 she experienced further complications that led to her experiencing chronic pain. In 2017 she decided to have her left leg amputated below the knee. "It was painful, but compared to what I'd been living in it was a relief. It was kind of shocking that it had been so long that I'd been in pain I didn't really recognise it. I got emotional because immediately after the surgery, I felt so much better." (teamusa.org, 12 Dec 2018, 03 Mar 2016; ftgordonsignal.com, 04 Oct 2013)

General
EARLY DAYS
She grew up in Prescott Valley, AZ, United States of America, and as a teenager she struggled to find a goal in life. She joined a military-based educational programme sponsored by the US Army, where mentors provided her with structure and a support system that eventually inspired her to join the military at age 17. She served as a combat medic in Iraq, where she got injured, and later became a competitive swimmer in the US Army's World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson in Colorado. "The Army has afforded me the ability to have a family and a network of people that trust. I think there are a lot of kids that deserve those chances." (army.mil, 17 Oct 2017)

LONDON REUNION
She was cheered on by the critical care team of Royal Papworth Hospital at the 2019 World Championships in London, England. They had looked after her in 2014 when she fell critically ill ahead of the Invictus Games in the same city. She donated the four gold medals she won at the 2016 Invictus Games to the team at Royal Papworth as a mark of her gratitude. "If not for the people of Papworth Hospital I wouldn't get the chance to compete in a final [where she won a gold medal in the S7 100m backstroke at the 2019 World Championships]." (redlandscommunitynews.com, 01 Nov 2019; people.com, 13 Sep 2019; royalpapworth.nhs.uk, 13 Sep 2019)

TATTOOS
The tattoos on her right leg present an image of her life story. They include a large, wounded crow that represents her, and a red cross that symbolises her work as a combat medic in the army. The tattoos cover some of her scars, but she still leaves some exposed, and refuses make-up to cover them. "I earned them, so I'm going to wear them." (telegraph.co.uk, 13 Sep 2016; espn.com, 14 Jul 2016)

DELEGATION
In March 2018 she was a member of a Presidential Delegation from the United States of America that attended the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. "It's an absolute honour. I can't believe they're allowing me to come support my country and my brothers and sisters. It's just an honour." (teamusa.org, 08 Mar 2018)