Lakeisha Patterson

Started: She began swimming at age three. (caboolturenews.com.au, 01 Apr 2013) Reason: She took up the sport as a form of physical therapy. She was later inspired to start competing after watching the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. "I saw all these amazing athletes compete who have already overcome so many obstacles in their life and they are absolutely smashing it. I felt free in the pool and the water on my skin felt magical. I had a sense of belonging, which was a new experience." (theroar.com.au, 24 Aug 2021; playersvoice.com.au, 11 Jul 2019; caboolturenews.com.au, 01 Apr 2013; gc2018.com, 08 Apr 2018) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (stories.uq.edu.au, 24 Jun 2023) Awards: She was named the 2019 Paralympic Athlete of the Year by Swimming Australia. (pickstar.com.au, 18 Oct 2019) In April 2019 she was named the University of Queensland's 2018 Sportswoman of the Year. (uq.edu.au, 16 Apr 2019) In October 2017 she received the Mrs. Gina Rinehart Patron Award from the Queensland Academy of Sport in Australia. (qasport.qld.gov.au, 30 Oct 2017) In January 2017 she was given the Medal of the Order of Australia [OAM] in recognition of her gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (paralympic.org, 28 Jan 2017) She received the People's Choice Award at the 2015 Swimmer of the Year Awards in Australia. (qasport.qld.gov.au, 07 Sep 2015) She was named the 2014 Junior Female Athlete of the Year by the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association in Brisbane, QLD, Australia. (swimming.org.au, 26 Nov 2014) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES In early 2022 she was named as part of the four-person Para Athlete Leadership Group for the Australian Para swimming team until after the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. "I am excited to build on the incredible legacy that our past Dolphins leaders have pioneered and humbled to be chosen to listen, unite, represent and take action for our team while we create an inclusive, positive, and safe environment for all." She has also worked as a gratitude officer at Paralympics Australia. "This role is responsible for reaching out to those who donate towards Paralympics Australia, and simply say thank you personally from an athlete. This role supports the fundraising team by getting to know donors and how to better engage with them." (swimswam.com, 21 Feb 2022; LinkedIn profile, 01 Nov 2020)