Jessica Rogers
Jessica Rogers is an American Wheelchair basketballer, wheelchair racer and swimmer. She is also the founder of the International Sacral Agenesis/Caudal Regression Syndrome Association, or iSACRA, an organization for information sharing, support, and networking.
Early life
Rogers was born in Brazil where she spent the first part of her life in an isolated crib in a care facility for adults with severe cognitive limitations. At 14 months old she was adopted into a single parent household with many siblings who have different special needs. Jessica was born with the rare condition of lumbosacral agenesis/caudal regression syndrome and has had bilateral leg amputations due to the condition. Her spine ends at approximately T 7–10, which caused some paralysis. Jessica was born with one kidney and a very small lower anatomy, a common trait associated with caudal regression syndrome.She graduated from Wilbert Tucker Woodson High School in 2015; she founded The International Sacral Agenesis/Caudal Regression Association, or iSACRA, with a group of volunteers in 2012.
Awards and achievements
- 2015: Ranked One of the Top Female U.S. Paralympics Track and Field High School All-Americans – 100 M ; 200 M ; 400 M ; 800 M
- 2014: U.S. Paralympics, a division of USOC Track and field high school all American female
- 2014: 10th International Wheelchair Amputee Sports World Junior Games, Stoke Mandeville, medalist 100, 200, 400, 800 M track events
- 2013: U.S. Paralympics, a division USOC Track and field high school all American female, 100 M with a time of 20:34
- 2013: IWAS World Junior Games Mayaguez, Puerto Rico – Special Performance Award
- 2013: IWAS World Junior Games Mayaguez, Puerto Rico – Swimming S5 category, Gold medal ; Silver medal ; Athletics, Two Gold medals
- 2013: International Wheelchair Amputee Sports Junior World Games selectee for US Junior Team, paratriathalon, swimming and track
- 2013: National Wave triathlete, US National Paratriathalon Championships, Austin, Texas
- 2013: National Junior Disability Championships, Rochester, Minnesota, First place 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 meter wheelchair track, first place 50 m back, breast, fly, free, 100 m breast, 100 m free swimming
- 2013: National Junior Disability Championships, Rochester, Minnesota, Female Track Athlete Spirit of Excellence Award
- 2011: Parapan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico, silver medal 100 m breaststroke
- 2011: SPORTS 'N SPOKES Magazine's Junior Athlete of the Year
- 2011: Founded iSACRA, an international organization for information and support of individuals with sacral agenesis/caudal regression syndrome
- 2010: Junior National Champion, 100, 200, 400, 800 m wheelchair track
- 2010: Im Able Foundation's Racing Wheelchair Recipient
- 2010: American Paralympic record holder, women's 100 SCY breaststroke
- 2010: American Paralympic record holder, women's 200 SCY IM
- 2010: Canadian American Paralympic National Champion women's 100 m breaststroke
- 2009: Canadian American Paralympic National Champion women's 100 m breaststroke
- 2009: Canadian American Paralympic National Champion women's 200 m breaststroke
- 2008: National Junior Disability Championships, First place 100, 200, 400 m wheelchair track
Filmography
| First aired | Title | Episode | Distributor | Produced by |
| January 18, 2006 | A Child's Courage | Discovery Health Channel | D.T. Slouffman | |
| October 2006 | News Report: Kicking For Kids Who Can't | N/A | WUSA9 News – Washington D.C. area | Emily Smitt |
| September 24, 2015 | Body Bizarre | Double Amputee Teen Sets Sights On Rio Paralympics | Barcroft Productions |