Two Madison West students with disabilities have been invited to participate with the school’s swimming team after their parents expressed concern that they’d be excluded in 2025.
The athletes, who intended to compete as exhibition swimmers and not as part of traditional competition, were initially told the team did not have openings, but the school reversed that stance as of the evening of Sept. 12.
Asha Shukla, a senior with Down Syndrome, and Aurelia Bergstrom, a freshman with a low incidence neurogenetic disorder of unknown causes that falls under the category of Syndrome Without A Name (SWAN), were both told they would need to try out to earn their spot on the team on account of a large volume of interested swimmers.
With their status in doubt, several people spoke up for the swimmers at a Madison Board of Education meeting Sept. 8, including other swimmers on the team. Shukla spoke herself at the meeting.
“Being part of a team makes me feel like I am part of something bigger than me, a community,” she said. “I have Down syndrome, meaning my body works differently than other people. I am extra-flexible, it takes a lot of energy to build muscles and a little more time to communicate with others, but I know how to work hard, and when I have a chance, I know how to win.”
On Sept. 12, the parents of both swimmers said the school had agreed to welcome them on the team. Krisjon Olson, Aurelia’s mother, shared an update on Facebook.
“Thank you to everyone who spoke up for Asha, Aurelia and inclusive sports in MMSD,” she said. “I hope this shines a light on the barriers people with disabilities still face in accessing community life — sometimes in their own schools.
“This week proved something powerful: when students and community members speak up, change happens. Accessibility shouldn’t take a spotlight; but when it does, it shows what’s possible.
“This victory is bigger than swimming. It’s about building schools where every student belongs, on teams and in the community. Let’s keep pushing for that future together.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison West students with disabilities will be part of swim team, after all
Reporting by JR Radcliffe and Zac Bellman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
