Canadian Paralympian opens up about her disability journey: ‘Authentically myself’

Marissa Papaconstantinou has lived through injuries and obstacles as she found her way to personal and professional success.

The 23-year-old para athlete was born without her right foot. But that didn’t stop her from achieving her goal of representing Canada – and medalling, no doubt – at the Paralympics.

The track star’s journey began in elementary school, where her parents automatically put her in sports like basketball and soccer.

Looking back, Papaconstantinou is grateful her family didn’t let her disability stop her from being a regular kid.

"Sport created an avenue for me to thrive regardless of difference. Of course I had my prosthetic, but I could still do things I wanted to do and that’s what matters," she told Yahoo Canada.

While Papaconstantinou was fortunate to hardly experience bullying due to her disability, one incident has still stuck with her.

At a high school track meet, a rival parent complained that she had an advantage because she was using her running blade. Nobly, the athlete brushed it off, knowing she’s always surrounded by supportive and uplifting people.

"That incident aside, I’m the perfect example that if you’re kind and include people, life is just brighter and better for everyone," Papaconstantinou said.

Growing up, the Toronto native always knew she wanted to compete in sport. But it wasn’t until she got her first running blade at age 12 that she realized track and field was her passion.

A chance meeting with fellow track and field Paralympian Stefanie Reid, from the U.K., set her on her way.

"I met Stefanie when she was 16 and just lost her leg from a boating accident. Later on, I saw her compete in the London 2012 Paralympics.

"I was in awe of her running blade and I wanted that so badly for myself," she said.

Reid then came back to help Papaconstantinou try out her own running blade for the first time, a moment that played an integral part in her development as an athlete.

While Papaconstantinou has already achieved a lot in her athletic career – including a 100-metre bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and countless Canadian records – it hasn't always been smooth.

Injury 'made me a stronger person'

In 2017, she tore her hamstring at the Para Athletics World Championships, and last fall she suffered a disc bulge in her spine. After months of pain, physiotherapy and recovery, Papaconstantinou said her persistence and passion got her through.

"Persistence is something I’ve always had. It’s helped me push past injuries, broken prosthetics and when I’m underperforming," she said. "But it’s made me a stronger person, because I’m so determined to reach my goals."

Athletics aside, Papaconstantinou is a dedicated advocate trying to make life better for children with disabilities.

She mentors aspiring para athletes and is an ambassador for Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, raising funds to help create a world of possibilities for youth through patient-centred research and paediatric rehabilitation.

"Every day when I step on the track, I have an opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes, and that's something I'm very proud of," Papaconstantinou added.

Papaconstantinou now also champions self love and body acceptance, but it took her awhile to get there.

On social media, she often receives hurtful comments about her appearance, which point out her disability or her stronger body. In real life, Papaconstantinou said she often gets stares walking down the street.

After years of enduring these comments or stares, she’s learned to embrace who she is.

"My family and friends helped me be sure of myself and gave me confidence in myself, which led to confidence and love within my body," Papaconstantinou said.

"Comments or stares don’t bother me anymore because I know I’m being authentically myself and loving the body that was given to me, so I ignore everything that doesn’t support that."

Next month, Papaconstantinou will represent Canada at the World Para Athletics Championships. The event runs between July 8-17, and she’ll compete in the 100-metre, 200-metre and 4x100-metre universal relay events.

While the competition holds some pressure as it determines the number of slots available for Team Canada athletes for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Papaconstantinou is more excited about the opportunity to represent her country once again.

"It’s such an amazing feeling putting on my Canada kit, it’s an overwhelming sense of pride. It represents unity, excitement, and something bigger than myself," she said.

"But at the end of the day, I’m just going to do my best and try to make myself and my country proud."

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