Meet Jessica Long, The Amazing Paralympic Champion Featured In The Toyota Super Bowl Commercial
Jessica entered the world on February 29th, 1992, and though she now lives in Baltimore, Maryland, she was born thousands of miles away.
When Jessica was born in Bratsk, Russia, she was diagnosed with fibular hemimelia. Fibular hemimelia is a birth defect that results in knee deformities, feet deformities, and shortened limbs.
Sometimes with fibular hemimelia, the fibular bone doesn’t grow to the full length in utero, and sometimes this bone is just missing completely.
Fibular hemimelia is an extraordinarily rare birth defect, and experts aren’t quite certain why it occurs in the first place.
It’s thought that one cause might be if an embryo experiences some sort of trauma, while another potential cause is if a pregnant woman catches a viral infection.
Following Jessica’s birth, her teenage parents realized they weren’t equipped to care for her special needs, so they placed her up for adoption.
A couple from Baltimore was delighted to be able to adopt Jessica, and so Steven and Beth Long took her home. They also adopted another child from the Russian orphanage she was in.
Instagram; Jessica is pictured above
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When Jessica was about a year and a half old, doctors decided to amputate both of her lower legs.
In an Instagram post, Jessica explained that her parents got her a babydoll, removed the legs, and then covered the spots where the legs had been cut with a pair of casts so that Jessica had a matching friend waiting for her after surgery.
Instagram; pictured above is a photo Jessica shared of her and her baby doll after she had her legs amputated
Jessica later learned to take her first steps with prosthetic legs. As Jessica grew up, she became interested in a variety of sports and activities, including ice skating, cheerleading, and gymnastics.
But when Jessica started spending Sunday afternoons at the pool her grandparents had, it was clear she had a talent in the water.
It wasn’t long until Jessica was swimming in competitions, and at just 12-years-old, she went to Athens, Greece, to compete in the 2004 Paralympic Games.
She was the youngest person to be competing on the team that year.
While in Athens, Jessica won three gold medals. The years after that, she went on to compete in the following 3 Paralympic Games, break quite a few records, and rack up twenty-three different total medals. Now, she’s set to compete in Tokyo this summer.
Jessica is not only an amazing and accomplished Paralympic champion; she’s an inspiration.
Last night during the Super Bowl, Toyota shared her incredible story in a commercial that follows along as her parents received the call that she was for adoption, but that she had a disability.
As Jessica elegantly swims through the water, pieces of her childhood and milestones are shown alongside her as she continues to swim.
If you haven’t seen the commercial, you can watch it below, but be warned; you should grab a few tissues (or ten) first.
Instagram; Jessica smiles in the photo above
Jessica had this to say on Instagram about the Toyota commercial that focuses on her life story: “Wow – just wow! I’m still taking this all in but I want to say thank you so much for all of the love and support with the debut of my first-ever Super Bowl commercial, “Upstream.” This is so special to me because I don’t think I would’ve ever imagined that me – a girl born with no legs and adopted from a Russian orphanage – would ever have this type of opportunity.”
“Toyota was able to capture so beautifully the big moments, but also the small moments that are really important too. This process has reminded me that my parents wanted me truly and completely, and loved me even before my success.”
“I feel such grace towards them for what they went through when they adopted me. My career is 18 years in the making and it’s incredible for my story to be shown on such a huge platform.”
Instagram; pictured above is part of what Jessica had to say about being featured in the Toyota commercial
“No one can take away what I’ve accomplished, but my life is so much more than the medals. Swimming has helped me get through a lot in my life. Here you get to see little Jess for the first time, hands on her hips and joining her first swim team.”
“The scene when little Jess swims under me and I swim over her – that’s who I’m still swimming for – that little girl in the locker room who never gave up.”
“I hope “Upstream” inspires everyone who watches it and serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible. Thank you Toyota for believing in the Paralympic Movement and for believing in me, even when I doubted myself.”
“I’m excited for the world to see the commercial and I hope it reminds everyone that there really is hope and strength in all of us. And if you need me today, I’ll just be watching this over and over again most likely crying.”
You can follow Jessica here on Instagram and watch the commercial featuring her story below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWG5_7nwyk&feature=emb_title
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