Shriners Children’s Florida Patient to Compete in the 2024 Paralympic Trials

Shriners Children’s Florida patient Momo is an expert when it comes to defying the odds.

She became the youngest to ever compete in the 2021 Para Swimming World Series Event at just age 13. Today, the 17-year-old is reaching for the sky and is dedicated to beating her own records as she mentally and physically prepares for the Paralympic Swimming Trials happening in June of 2024.

Adopted from China as a baby, Momo was first seen at Shriners Children’s St. Louis, the closest hospital to her home in Indiana, nearly 10 years ago for scoliosis and began to receive care for the congenital arm amputation she received at birth. When her family moved to Florida at age 7, she began utilizing Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services (POPS) in Tampa, where she quickly developed a relationship with her prosthetist and the staff. Momo said her care and medical journey with scoliosis and her arm never set her back. If anything, it encouraged her to pursue her passions.

“I began swimming at age 4 and I started competitively swimming at age 9,” said Momo. “I’m passionate about it because it’s a technique sport and I love honing in on the skill and focus. I’ve grown up being able to do these things because of Shriners Children’s. I cannot begin to describe everything they’ve done for me. I’m passionate about being an ambassador because if there's anything else I could do to push that care to someone else, I would do it.”