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.
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 disabilities. Jessica was born with the rare condition of lumbo sacral 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 (Ranked 4th, time: 19.08); 200 M (Ranked 6th, time: 34.88); 400 M (Ranked 7th, time 69.06); 800 M (Ranked 5th, time: 02:23.94)
2014: U.S. Paralympics, a division of USOC (United States Olympic Committee) Track and field high school all American female
2014: 10th International Wheelchair Amputee Sports (IWAS) World Junior Games, Stoke Mandeville, medalist 100, 200, 400, 800 M track events
2013: U.S. Paralympics, a division USOC (United States Olympic Committee) 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 (recognition of athletes with international potential competing in their first IWAS World Junior Games)
2013: IWAS World Junior Games Mayaguez, Puerto Rico – Swimming S5 category, Gold medal (50m backstroke); Silver medal (200 Individual Medley); Athletics, Two Gold medals (200m; Super Sprint T1, time 1.01.47)
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
Documentaries and other television appearances include:
