In March 2014, she suffered an arm injury after falling from a bench onto a shower floor. This resulted in permanent nerve and muscle damage, preventing her from competing at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships. She returned to training in 2015, but the injury worsened after the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In June 2017, she underwent surgery to remove two muscles and a rib in her upper chest. Another muscle was removed in a second operation in December 2018. Despite these setbacks, she resumed training in September 2017.

Achievements and Awards

Her resilience and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. In 2011, she won the ESPY award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability from ESPN. She was named Disabled Athlete of the Year by USA Swimming in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Additionally, Swimming World Magazine named her Female Disabled Swimmer of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

Motherhood and Recent Competitions

She gave birth to her daughter Charlotte Ann Snyder in March 2023. Remarkably, she won a silver medal at the US national championships in December 2022 while 26 weeks pregnant. She stated that competing while pregnant showcased what women and individuals with disabilities are capable of achieving.

Other Activities

In 2019, she co-founded TFA Group with her husband Jeremy Snyder. The agency supports brands and content within the Paralympic movement, adaptive sports, and the disability community. She believes representation is crucial for progress and that impairment is often not discussed or seen in mainstream media.

She is also a published journalist and served as a commentator for NBC's coverage of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. In March 2021, she released 'Limitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience', a memoir co-written by Tiffany Yecke Brooks.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, she aims to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Her journey continues to inspire many as she balances her roles as an athlete, mother, and advocate for disability representation.

Her story highlights the power of sport to change perceptions of disability both within society and for individuals themselves. Her achievements serve as a testament to resilience and determination.