Temple student Gemma Wollenschlaeger was born with a clubfoot, which prevents her from running and jumping for longer periods, writes Isabella DiAmore for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

While that made it harder for her to fit in at times while growing up, once she discovered rowing, she realized it was her sport. Now, she is set to compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris with Team USA.

She is a member of the PR3 mixed four with a coxswain.

Wollenschlaeger already won gold last year with Team USA in the Para Rowing Regatta to Paris and silver at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

The junior was introduced to the Paralympics during her freshman year by Temple women’s rowing coach Rebecca Grzybowski. Getting to compete on the para rowing team made Wollenschlaeger feel proud of who she was for the first time.

“In sports, I always kind of brushed over my foot, like, I can work around it, and it shouldn’t be anything that holds me back,” she said. “Finding the para team has actually made me realize that this is part of you. This is a very important part of you, and you need to be open about it.”

Read more about Gemma Wollenschlaeger in The Philadelphia Inquirer.