Paralympians Allysa Seely and Oz Sanchez share how they overcame unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic to continue training for the Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.
Like many of us, elite paratriathlete Allysa Seely describes the experience of living through a pandemic as being on “a roller coaster.”
“One day I’m like, ‘I got this, I’m calm, I’m cool, I’m collected,’ and then, ‘Oh my God, what is happening?’” Seely told Healthline when reflecting back on the events of the past year.
Just as with everyone else, Seely’s day-to-day life was turned upside down by the disorienting changes brought about by COVID-19, from mask wearing and physical distancing to the isolation of sheltering in place. Beyond that, she had to contend with challenges unique to a select few.
Seely was set to compete in the Summer Paralympics last year when the pandemic put those plans on hold, pushing the international sporting event — along with the Olympics, also in Tokyo — a full year later.
She called the pandemic something of a test in “learning how to practice controlling what I can and not stressing about everything else, really focusing on my health, both mental and physical.”
It’s sage advice, especially for those in the United States who are starting to contend with a post-pandemic reality as vaccinations increase.
Source: healthline