COAN McKenzie

Classification
S7, SB6, SM7 (IPC, 12 Mar 2021)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (Athlete, 07 Jan 2016)

Impairment Details
She was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, shortly after birth. She has broken more than 30 bones and undergone numerous operations to insert metal rods into her legs. "When I was 19 days old, I was diagnosed with this bone condition. The doctors told my parents I would never sit, walk, talk. The physical therapist told my parents, 'You can put her on a shelf and shield her from the hard things in life or you can let her live'. That's when everything really changed. Instilling the belief that I am just like everybody else is what sets me apart." (gameplan-a.com, 18 Jun 2019; excellesports.com, 09 Sep 2016; paralypmic.org, 01 Apr 2015)

General
MENTALITY
She credits her mental strength for allowing her to overcome her impairment. "It's taken a lot of reflection and a lot of mental training to get to this place [mentally]. Every single setback and every single piece of adversity I've ever faced has given me so much in my life. I hate that it happens, but I am going to break bones in my life. My mum and I, from very early on, came up with this system. When something bad happens to me, I'm given two days to wallow in it. I can be angry at the world, cry, let it out. But after that point, you no longer allow your emotions to overcome you. It's all about making the most of every day. I'm so used to it by now. I'll break my shoulder and I'll be back in the water within a day or two, even against my doctor's wishes. That's just how I am." (swimmingworldmagazine.com, 16 Feb 2021; Paralympic Games YouTube channel, 26 Jul 2020)

TECH TRAINING
She believes technology has played a key role in analysing and improving her swimming technique. "Measuring things like stroke rate, distance per stroke, breakout, and turn times have become a norm in my training. At least once a week we get the video monitors out and break down my stroke so I can get an idea of what I am doing in the water and how I can get the most out of my stroke. Utilising such technology has been absolutely invaluable to my career. Having the ability to watch and break down all aspects of my stroke is a huge tool that I take full advantage of. Taking full advantage of this digital age is what's separating the good swimmers from the great swimmers." (digitaljournal.com, 24 Jun 2019)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
She was appointed to be a keynote speaker at the 2019 LEAD Sports Summit conference in Atlanta, GA, United States of America. She has also started her own outreach programme called 'Kenzie Kares'. "I get the privilege of meeting and talking to children with physical disabilities and life-threatening illnesses by visiting hospitals around the United States of America." (digitaljournal.com, 24 Jun 2019; Athlete, 07 Jan 2016)

OCCUPATION
She has worked in the office of student development at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, MD, United States of America. (LinkedIn profile, 12 Jan 2021)