One of the United State's best Paralympians is calling for change.Marylander Becca Meyers, 26, is not going to Tokyo to compete due to a decision she said would put her safety in jeopardy.Becca Meyers and her mother, Maria Meyers, spoke to sister station WBAL-TV Wednesday about the devastating decision and what they hope comes next.Meyers is one of the most decorated American swimmers in history. She's won six Paralympic medals, three of them gold. She put in countless hours at the pool training for the 2021 games. But she will not represent team USA this year – she withdrew – and she did so because of safety concerns, but none that has anything to do with the coronavirus. "They took away a part of me. A part of who I am. I’ve always been Rebecca, the swimmer, and now I feel less than that," Becca Meyers said.The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee denied the Meyers' request to have a personal care assistant accompany her to the Tokyo Games."So, when they said 'No,' it just broke me. It made me feel, 'wow, the one place I had where I could excel as someone with multiple disabilities was taken away,' made me feel worthless," Becca Meyers said.Becca Meyers explained her communication with the USOPC in recent years. "It's been a really tough couple of months communicating with the USOPC expressing my needs as a deaf, blind athlete. We've had an understanding for the last couple of years since 2017 that I need a dedicated personal care assistant to come with me because of my disabilities. Because I two sensorial disabilities, not just one. So, I really need that one-on-one care, orienting me to new places, traveling with me every step of the way so that I get to my destinations safely, that I get the proper meals. That was the purpose of having a PCA of whom I trust," she said.Becca Meyers has suffered from Usher Syndrome since birth, leaving her deaf and with degenerative sight. Essentially, she can only see through a pinhole, straight ahead. So, having a PCA on hand is critical. She learned this the hard way, when alone at the 2016 Rio Games.Related video: Tokyo Olympics Brings Hope for Change For Deaf Transgender Athlete"I remember one night a couple, two days before a competition started just crying uncontrollably on the floor in my room. I felt so lost, so paralyzed in a way that I knew I couldn’t do this on my own. I’m a deaf, blind person. And I think that moment is when I came to terms with my disabilities," Becca Meyers said.Becca's mother Maria has served as her PCA since 2017 as she is trained in the care of a deaf/blind person. When the USOPC refused to allow her to travel to Tokyo, the family decided they needed to be heard."It's not just for my kid, you know, this is for all of them. The culture has to change we can do better. We know we can do better," Maria Meyers said.The USOPC will have one PCA on hand for the entire Paraswimming team in Tokyo."And then it turns out that the team was named and there’s nine blind swimmers. Nine out of 34. This is the biggest team of line swimmers they’ve ever taken. Not one is trained in orientation and mobility of the blind," Maria Meyers said. "She's not sitting at home and saying 'I only want green M&Ms.' This is not a diva moment."Becca Meyers received support from Maryland's two U.S. senators and Gov. Larry Hogan. The outrage is widespread at denying a world class swimmer a safe way to represent the country, which she has done so well."I'm not going away quietly. This needs to change. The culture needs to change. I need to stand up to protect future generations from ever getting hurt or feeling scared to be a part of team USA," Becca Meyers said.WBAL-TV reached out to the USOPC but received no comment on Becca Meyers' withdrawal from the games.
One of the United State's best Paralympians is calling for change.
Marylander Becca Meyers, 26, is not going to Tokyo to compete due to a decision she said would put her safety in jeopardy.
Becca Meyers and her mother, Maria Meyers, spoke to sister station WBAL-TV Wednesday about the devastating decision and what they hope comes next.
Meyers is one of the most decorated American swimmers in history. She's won six Paralympic medals, three of them gold. She put in countless hours at the pool training for the 2021 games.
But she will not represent team USA this year – she withdrew – and she did so because of safety concerns, but none that has anything to do with the coronavirus.
"They took away a part of me. A part of who I am. I’ve always been Rebecca, the swimmer, and now I feel less than that," Becca Meyers said.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee denied the Meyers' request to have a personal care assistant accompany her to the Tokyo Games.
"So, when they said 'No,' it just broke me. It made me feel, 'wow, the one place I had where I could excel as someone with multiple disabilities was taken away,' made me feel worthless," Becca Meyers said.
Becca Meyers explained her communication with the USOPC in recent years.
"It's been a really tough couple of months communicating with the USOPC expressing my needs as a deaf, blind athlete. We've had an understanding for the last couple of years since 2017 that I need a dedicated personal care assistant to come with me because of my disabilities. Because I [have] two sensorial disabilities, not just one. So, I really need that one-on-one care, orienting me to new places, traveling with me every step of the way so that I get to my destinations safely, that I get the proper meals. That was the purpose of having a PCA of whom I trust," she said.
Becca Meyers has suffered from Usher Syndrome since birth, leaving her deaf and with degenerative sight. Essentially, she can only see through a pinhole, straight ahead. So, having a PCA on hand is critical. She learned this the hard way, when alone at the 2016 Rio Games.
Related video: Tokyo Olympics Brings Hope for Change For Deaf Transgender Athlete
"I remember one night a couple, two days before a competition started just crying uncontrollably on the floor in my room. I felt so lost, so paralyzed in a way that I knew I couldn’t do this on my own. I’m a deaf, blind person. And I think that moment is when I came to terms with my disabilities," Becca Meyers said.
Becca's mother Maria has served as her PCA since 2017 as she is trained in the care of a deaf/blind person. When the USOPC refused to allow her to travel to Tokyo, the family decided they needed to be heard.
"It's not just for my kid, you know, this is for all of them. The culture has to change we can do better. We know we can do better," Maria Meyers said.
The USOPC will have one PCA on hand for the entire Paraswimming team in Tokyo.
"And then it turns out that the team was named and there’s nine blind swimmers. Nine out of 34. This is the biggest team of line swimmers they’ve ever taken. Not one is trained in orientation and mobility of the blind," Maria Meyers said. "She's not sitting at home and saying 'I only want green M&Ms.' This is not a diva moment."
Becca Meyers received support from Maryland's two U.S. senators and Gov. Larry Hogan. The outrage is widespread at denying a world class swimmer a safe way to represent the country, which she has done so well.
"I'm not going away quietly. This needs to change. The culture needs to change. I need to stand up to protect future generations from ever getting hurt or feeling scared to be a part of team USA," Becca Meyers said.
WBAL-TV reached out to the USOPC but received no comment on Becca Meyers' withdrawal from the games.
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