For nearly eight years, Jess swam the waters of many pools around the world as a competitive member of Canada's Swimmers' with a Disability national swim team. She competed in three Paralympic Games-Sydney, Athens and Beijing-and was the winner of a silver medal in the 2000 Games. Nearing the qualifying competition for the 2008 Paralympic team, Jess knew that this would be her last Games as a swimmer. Even though her swimming career ended in September of 2008, the fire to compete has never quite burned out and she embarked on a new chapter of her life; the triathlon.
As a blind athlete, Jess required the assistance of a sighted person in order to train and compete. For three years she attempted to train on her own, but never reached her goal of racing in a triathlon.
Since November of 2011, Jess has intensified her search for guides; looking for someone to navigate the logistics of training as a guide and blind athlete in a sport Jess has little to no experience with.
Jess has set her ultimate goal of competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games as a strong competitor. A lot of work must be done before then, with smaller goals reached, but Jess knows that with hard work, determination and a lot of sweat, she and her guide, whoever that may end up being, will be a force to reckon with on the world stage.
