Jenny Sichel, US Paralympic Rowing - Athletes for Hope

Jenny Sichel, US Paralympic Rowing

As part of our ongoing celebration of the Paralympic Games, we want to highlight the athletes that have made the Games what they are: inspiring. The piece below is by Jenny Sichel, US Paralympic Coxswain and mental health advocate. 


What cause do you care about?

Mental heath awareness and para sport representation. After being misdiagnosed for 11 years, I finally started getting help for my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as a sophomore in college. My first year in college I was know as the “weird person” and for my entire career as a Paralympic Coxswain I refused to tell any person of authority about my disability because I was afraid that it may, consciously or unconsciously, impact their thoughts on my skills and make them second guess my position in the boat. Over the past few years though, I have felt confident enough in myself to speak out about it, with hopes that others will know they are not alone. I want athletes and coaches to realize that this can affect their teammates or athletes, but can also make them more resilient and adaptable to change. People need to understand that everyone has challenges or differences, for some it might be mental health, others a physical disability, or perhaps some other stigma, but whatever they are working through, does not make them any less of a teammate, athlete, or human being. I want to raise awareness to what people can do no matter the skeletons in their closet, especially when it comes to Paralympic sports and disability representation.

What nonprofits and or organizations are you involved with that you want others to learn more about?

In addition to my role as Paralympic Coach for US Rowing, I currently work for the National Council on Independent Living and lead a movement of young activists, with and without disabilities, from across the country. NCIL and LINK20 work towards disability justice and equity, and I am excited to see what changes we can make when we as the disability community and allies, work together for change. I am also a public speaker and love working with DreamWakers to reach classrooms and discuss about disability representation with children of all ages!