Deaf News: Deafblind USA swimmer withdraws from Tokyo Paralympics after care assistant request rejected

A deafblind swimmer has been forced to pull out of representing the USA in Tokyo next month, after the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) ruled that she could not bring her own trusted care assistant with her.

Becca Meyers, a six-time Paralympic medalist with Usher syndrome, has been accompanied by her mother as a care assistant at all international contests since 2017. However, the request has not been approved for what would have been her third Paralympics.

In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Meyers wrote that the “gut-wrenching decision” has left her feeling “angry […] disappointed, but most of all […] sad to not be representing my country”.

“[They told] me repeatedly that I do not need a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) ‘who I trust’ because there will be a single PCA on staff that is available to assist me and 33 other Paralympic swimmers – nine of whom are also visually impaired.

https://twitter.com/becca_meyers/status/1417448304535814145?s=20

“The USOPC has approved me having a trusted PCA (my mom) at all international meets since 2017, but this time it’s different.

“With COVID, there are new safety measures and limits of non-essential staff in place, rightfully so, but a trusted PCA is essential for me to compete.

“So, in 2021, why as a disabled person am I still fighting for my rights? I’m speaking up for future generations of Paralympic athletes in hope that they never have to experience the pain I’ve been through. Enough is enough,” it reads.

The USOPC are yet to comment publicly on Meyers’ withdrawal, and have been contacted by The Limping Chicken for comment.

Photo: Team USA/Flickr.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.

---

Update – 21.07.21: In a statement issued to The Limping Chicken, the USOPC said that “the safety, wellbeing and positive experience of all Team USA athletes” is their “number one priority”.

“We take pride in being the best prepared NOC and NPC in the world, and that includes supporting all athletes as they navigate the excitement, and complexity, of the Olympic or Paralympic Games. An experienced, well-trained, and compassionate group of individuals, the ‘team behind the team’, exists to ensure that all needs of Team USA are met when athletes are in our care.

“Due to the pandemic, we have faced many new challenges during this Paralympic cycle – including a drastic reduction placed in the number of accredited support staff able to travel to Japan. In the case of U.S. Paralympics Swimming, there is a designated Personal Care Assistant (PCA) assigned to the team,” they said.

The organisation then went on to add that the PCA has “more than 27 years of coaching experience”, of which 11 years were spent with Paralympic swimmers.

“Because of the complex nature of these games, the role of the PCA has been filled by a qualified staff member who is able to serve in dual roles and who can assist the team as a whole when needed. This PCA joins a staff of 10 additional accomplished swim professionals, all who have experience with blind swimmers; totaling 11 staff for 34 athletes.

“Beyond the coaching, team management, medical and personal care staff specific to U.S. Paralympics Swimming, the USOPC offers every athlete a robust portfolio of resources inclusive of sports medicine, athlete services and a newly created mental health program among others.

“The decisions we’ve made on behalf of the team have not been easy, and we are heartbroken for athletes who are unable to have their previous support resources available. We are confident in the level of support we will offer Team USA and look forward to providing them a positive athlete experience even in the most unprecedented times,” their statement concluded.