Cassie Mitchell

Quick Facts

• Daughter of Randy and Clara Mitchell
• Growing up on a small farm in Oklahoma, Mitchell was an accomplished rider in Western horse events at a young age while also competing in gymnastics, dancing and running
• Was the valedictorian of her high school and earned a collegiate track scholarship
• Shortly after graduation, Mitchell developed a neurological condition called Devics Neuromyelitis Optica, which left her completely paralyzed from the chest down, with significant impairments to her arms, wrists, and hands, and with permanent double vision
• Chose to attend Oklahoma State University on a full academic scholarship where she played wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby
• Research engineer and faculty at Georgia Tech’s biomedical engineering department and a National Institute of Health primary investigator currently pursuing research in neurological injuries and diseases
• Has over 75 research publications with her research having been honored with the International Motoneuron Society Young Investigator Award
• Enjoys mentoring, volunteering, attending church, cycling, running, swimming, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family
• Mentors new neurological injury or neurological disease patients in the Atlanta, Georgia area, including the Shepherd Center Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Hospital
• Has a sign in her office with the message “Never, never, never give up,” that serves as a reminder to her commitment to overcome challenges and find beauty from pain.

Paralympic Experience

• 4-time Paralympian; 3-time Paralympic medalist (2 silver, 1 bronze)
• Paralympic Games Paris 2024, 4th (Discus Throw F53 - Women)
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (Club Throw F51 - Women), 4th (Discus Throw F53 - Women)
• Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, (100m T52 - Women), silver (Discus Throw F52 - Women), bronze (Club Throw F51 - Women), 7th (50m Backstroke S2 - Women)
• Paralympic Games London 2012, 4th (100m T52 - Women, 200m T52 - Women, Discus Throw F51/52/53 - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2023 – silver (Club Throw F51 - Women, Discus Throw F53 - Women)
• Years of participation: Club Throw F51 - Women 2017, 2023; Discus Throw F53 - Women 2023; Discus Throw F52 - Women 2017; 100m T52 - Women 2013; 200m T52 - Women 2013; 800m T52 - Women 2013; Discus Throw F51/52/53 - Women 2013; H2 - Road Race - Women 2013; Shot Put F52/53 - Women 2013; H1 - Road Race - Women 2011; H1 - Time Trial - Women 2011
• Medals: 10 (4 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze)
• Gold – 2017 (Discus Throw F52 - Women); 2013 (Shot Put F52/53 - Women); 2011 (H1 - Road Race - Women, H1 - Time Trial - Women)
• Silver – 2023 (Club Throw F51 - Women, Discus Throw F53 - Women); 2017 (Club Throw F51 - Women); 2013 (100m T52 - Women)
• Bronze – 2013 (200m T52 - Women, 800m T52 - Women)