Paralympic hopeful Duquette '13 aiming high
Chelsea Allen '12 / Senior Staff
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Sports
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Duquette, who hails from Manchester, Conn., was diagnosed with a form of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) when she eight, is one of Wheaton's top athletes. FSHD is a degenerative disease that affects muscle development and accelerates muscle fatigue. Out of the pool she uses a walker to help her get around.
Duquette swam before her diagnosis, but once her body became more and more tired, she had to give up the sport. She got back into the water two years ago, as a junior in high school. "I was tired of being a team manager and wanted to do something physically competitive again. I re-taught myself how to swim in a 10-yard pool and the high school coach only allowed me to be on the swim team if I did disability swimming and training for the Paralympics," explained Duquette.
And indeed, Duquette continues to train in the hopes of earning a berth on the U.S. Paralympic swim team, with the goal of competing at the 2012 Paralympics in London.
In recent years Duquette has traveled all over the world, breaking various records as she goes. She holds the U.S. Paralympic record in the 200-meter backstroke and 200-yard backstroke, and the junior U.S. Paralympic record in the 100 and 50-meter backstroke and the 50-meter freestyle. She is ranked 10th in the world in the 200-meter backstroke as well. Duquette's athletic resumé includes competitions all over the United States and Canada, and even in Colombia. Additionally, she has competed in a number of triathlon swimming legs.
That's not all. Duquette has used her swimming success as an opportunity to inspire others. However, she has also grown and become courageous herself. "I have started to public speak and have gone to elementary, middle, and high schools and other groups. I speak about my condition, what I've accomplished, my goals, and my message," she said.
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