Trading trauma for triumph

Some Paralympians live with a disability all their lives. Carson Clough is not one of those people.

Clough played lacrosse for North Carolina and knew nothing about the Paralympics until he was involved in a 2019 boating accident that required a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg.

He's one example of many among the 4,000-plus athletes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics who came to have a disability later in life, or only learned of the Paralympics when they were adults. For them, para sport has offered a new direction and sense of purpose to their lives.

In early 2022, with no previous knowledge of the sport, Clough was invited to apply to a talent ID camp hosted by USA Triathlon. It was there that he met his current coach, Mark Sortino, a long-time assistant coach for Team USA's Paralympic Triathlon team.

When he began training, Clough admits, jumping into an entirely new sport was a difficult process, and one that he made a lot harder on himself by thinking he knew more than he did.

"It was a case of thinking I knew a lot about the sport, and not doing much listening," Clough said.

"My coach, Mark Sortino, was obviously very experienced. He just kind of let me fall into my own trap and learn."

Monique Matthews' Paralympic career, meanwhile, began with a brochure.

Matthews had grown up a three-sport athlete, competing in softball, basketball and track throughout high school. Her plans at the time revolved around whether she should head to college for softball, or join the military.

While working a summer job at Circuit City, her plans went out the window when a warehouse accident cost Matthews her left foot.