After starting in the eighth grade, much later than her competitors, Sims rose through the ranks and has now made her third-consecutive United States Paralympic swimming team. Sims will be swimming for her first gold medal this summer, and her drive to reach the podium is apparent for all to see.
Sims was born without her right hand, and her father, Mike Sims, said the family took their daughter to Shriners Children’s when she was just 6 months old, staying with the nonprofit healthcare system until she graduated from care when she was 18. Mike said that since his daughter had no right hand but still had her wrist, compared to some who are also born without a forearm, she was very functional without prosthetics.
“Although she didn’t use prosthetics much, she really benefited at Shriners Children’s by seeing other kids with limb deficiencies,” Mike said. “She went to Camp Achieve, which was a week during the summer, and Shriners Children’s patients from all over the region were there. There were kids with all sorts of conditions and different limb deficiencies. It was important for Natalie to see other kids that looked like her, being active and seeing just how much they could do. She looked forward to Camp Achieve every single year, and she’s even gone back to volunteer as an adult.”
Natalie Sims said Shriners Children’s and Camp Achieve helped boost her confidence and encouraged her to follow her dreams.
Natalie stands with one foot on the starting block as she prepares for the start of a race.
Natalie and her parents stand together at the Paralympic Swimming Trials.
Natalie and child life specialist Maureen Johnston stand together at Shriners Children's Twin Cities.
Just because you have a disability, that shouldn’t limit what you love to do.
“Don’t let your disability define who you are,” said Natalie. “If you want to chase your dream, there is nothing standing in the way but yourself. It’s going to be hard, grueling work, but the reward is knowing you gave it your all. Just because you have a disability, that shouldn’t limit what you love to do.”
Mike Sims said Shriners Children’s provided his daughter with whatever she needed to compete in any sport she wanted. Natalie didn’t take to team sports as much, but loved individual competition. Shriners Children’s helped her with prosthetics for tennis, riding bikes and more. The individual sport she truly fell in love with was swimming. She went on to swim collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and she qualified for her first Paralympics just after graduating high school in 2016. She is currently at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, gearing up for Paris. While the 27-year-old swimmer has had plenty of success, she hasn’t hit the podium at the Paralympics just yet.
“A strong performance in Tokyo has ignited her desire to compete in Paris and hopefully reach the medal podium,” Mike Sims said. “The whole Paralympic journey has been life-changing for her. In the process, she’s gained so much confidence. As a three-time Paralympian, she’s the role model and the leader. Now there’s a new crop of younger swimmers, and it’s fun to see it go full circle.”
Natalie Sims is confirmed to swim in the 100-meter freestyle Sept. 4 and the 200 individual medley Sept. 5, and there’s a chance she could compete in even more events at the Games. The Paralympics start Aug. 28.
