“How sport gave me back my life”: Brianna Hennessy on the weight of your support
After a car accident changed everything for Brianna Hennessy, sport was the one piece of life that felt familiar again.
For Paris 2024 silver medallist Brianna Hennessy, there’s something incredibly powerful about being seen.
Brianna shares her story.
About knowing that someone out there believes in you, not because they have to, but because they choose to.
That’s what you’ve given me.
After my accident, I lost a part of myself — the identity I had known as an elite athlete, and the sense of direction that came with it. But sport had always been at the forefront of my life growing up, and finding my way back through Para sport gave me something I didn’t think I’d feel again: purpose.
Para sport became my rehab — physically, mentally, and emotionally. It gave me back my identity. It gave me a future. It quite literally saved my life.
Today, I’m proud to be a two-time Paralympian. Last year at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, I won a historic silver medal in Para canoe — the first ever Paralympic podium for Canada in the sport – and had the immense honour of being co-flag bearer for Canada at the Closing Ceremony. I also play wheelchair rugby internationally and advocate passionately for inclusion in sport across Canada.
Now, I’m chasing one more dream: a gold medal at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. But I can’t do it alone.
Right now in Canada, funding for sport is sparse, and for Para athletes, the financial obstacles are even greater. Specialized equipment, accessible training facilities, transportation, and coaching comes at a significantly higher cost.
For me to continue pursuing my dream of Paralympic gold, I need to raise $30,000–$40,000 per year just to keep my coach, and some athletes have to pay even more than that.
The Paralympic Foundation of Canada bridges the gap between raw talent and actual opportunity. As a donor, you are essential. You’re not just supporting athletes — you’re giving people like me the chance to keep believing in what’s possible.
Your support means more than funding gear or paying for coaching. It’s healing. It’s connection. It’s community.
Being part of the Paralympic community is like coming home. It’s the one place where I feel completely seen, accepted, and safe.
And thanks to your generosity, I’m not only training for LA — I’m mentoring younger athletes, advocating for change, and showing Canada what’s possible when we invest in people with a disability.
From the bottom of my heart — thank you. For your compassion. Your belief. Your kindness. And for everything you’ve already made possible — not just for me, but for so many across Canada.
You may not know me personally, but you’ve changed my life, along with so many other athletes.
Your support opens doors for the next generation of athletes — even before they know they belong. It’s about those still waiting for their first chance. The child who doesn’t yet know that Para sport could change their world.
Whether or not you ever meet the people you’ve helped, please know this: you are the reason we can still dream.
With all my heart,
Brianna Hennessy
Be part of a movement that is a catalyst for change, driving inclusivity and accessibility within our communities. It’s not only about creating opportunities for individuals with a disability to excel and showcase their resilience; the Paralympic Movement is a testament to the potential of the human spirit and the power of sport as a conduit for change and unity.
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