Tracy was abused by her ex and almost died, but is now going to the Paralympic Games

The Paralympic Games start today. More than 4,400 athletes from 168 countries will participate and there are many special stories among them. Tracy is one of the Paralympians with a special story. In conversation with the The British broadcaster BBC tells openly over.

It was a special moment for Tracy when she learned that she had been selected for Team USA. “They gave my friend Ricky a box with a cap in it that said I had received a certificate. When he gave it to me, I was eating. With my mouth full I started to cry.”

“It’s so cool,” said the 28-year-old athlete. The fact that Tracy is allowed to represent her country in Paris must surely be called a miracle. The American was abused by her ex-boyfriend in 2019 and became almost paralyzed. She can still use her arms a little, but is paralyzed below her chest. She also lost an eye and her body can no longer sweat, making it difficult to regulate her body temperature.

Interrupted by ex

Tracy decides to share her intense story because, as she says, she wants to be a ‘beacon of light’ for other women who have experienced domestic violence. To let them know they are not alone.

In September 2019, Tracy ended her relationship with her then-boyfriend. A month earlier he was arrested for assaulting her. The American wanted to put all the misery behind her and contacted Ricky, her current boyfriend.

She had thrown her ex out of the house and replaced the locks. But one evening in October, while she was lying in bed with her boyfriend, she was startled by a loud noise and the light of a bright flashlight shining into the bedroom.

“Suddenly I heard a voice and then I realized: it’s the old person. He had come to her house with an air rifle, a knife and handcuffs. “He broke in, woke us up and shouted at us to get up. “

Old Tracy said she and her new boyfriend would kill each other. From that moment on, the Paralympian doesn’t remember everything clearly anymore, she says. “It happened so fast.”

He was abused and assaulted

Tracy was beaten several times by her ex, he also shot Ricky twice in the face with the air rifle and stabbed him in the back, causing his lung to stop working. Immediately after, he shot Tracy through her left eye and stabbed her in the neck, paralyzing her. He also sexually assaulted her.

“Eventually he called the police himself and told them he had killed Ricky and me. He was sitting in the driveway and he was finally arrested there by officers ,” said Tracy. “I was only told a lot of information afterwards, but I didn’t get it at the time.

In January 2023, Tracy’s ex pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. But Tracy’s life has changed completely since that October evening. “It’s not just the paralysis and my wheelchair. Things are broken internally too. For example, I can’t sweat anymore, which causes my body temperature to be really high. And I have problems with my bowels and bladder.”

A long and complicated recovery followed for the Americans. But Tracy soon wanted more, she wanted to exercise again. Before she tried on herself and her boyfriend’s life, her dream was to be a fitness model. She had to put that dream aside. But in March 2021, she began to wonder how much time she had because she was no longer able to work. “I was talking to Ricky and I suddenly thought of archery. Why don’t you try that?”

Shoot with mouth

After some research, Tracy discovered that she had an opportunity to try archery with special equipment in her area. “A week later I shot my first arrows. And it was an instant hit, I was immediately enthusiastic and hooked.”

As shown in the picture below, Tracy shoots with her mouth. There is a strap on her wrist with which she pulls back the arrow and holds her bow with her cap and left hand.

It went so well that she quickly set her sights on going to the Paralympic Games. “In my second week I already asked if I could do competitive archery.” Soon, Tracy was competing in qualifying competitions across the country. Last summer she met the qualification level, after which she was told she could take part in the Games.

Tracy had a hard time, and she does sometimes. “It’s very tiring. I’m glad I have Ricky who supports me in everything. But every time I can’t pick something up, he reminds me of what happened. But there is always light at the end of the tunnel, my life is much better now, full of love.”

Making an impact

America is especially optimistic. “I feel like there’s something big behind it. So I try to keep that bigger picture in mind. I’ve always wanted to make an impact in this world, please to be a light. There is so much hate in the world already. I would find it unforgiving to myself and my fellow victims if I did not speak about this.”

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 am Tracy will be participating for the first time at the Paralympic Games.