SPOKANE, Wash. – At only 17 years old, Lauren Fields, a passionate and dedicated wheelchair racer, has traveled to four countries, competed in national championships, and her first Paralympic Trials. Through Parasport Spokane, this young athlete is gaining momentum, confidence, and community.
“I can definitely see a difference from where I am now, compared to two or three years ago,” Lauren Fields said.
For ten years, Fields has competed in adaptive sports. For eight years, she has been making strides specifically in ParaSport Spokane. Her specialty is wheelchair racing, taking to the track from start to finish.
Fields said she can’t talk about her growth as an athlete, without appreciating, more importantly, her growth as a person.
“I think it’s hard to see when you’re in it, working hard, but looking back I can definitely see how I’ve improved, and it feels amazing,” the 17-year-old said.
Day to day, you might not realize how far you’ve come, the strides you’ve made. The countless finish lines you’ve crossed. The places you have gone. For Fields, it wasn’t easy to reflect on the progress she’s made after a decade of competition.
“Honestly, I don’t know if I’m there all the way. I think it’s a process and it’s an art, you’re always learning. I don’t think there’s a day where I don’t learn something,” she said.
Fields was born with Cerebral Palsy, meaning she has been in a wheelchair all her life. She said her disability is not a barrier, rather, it has served as a catalyst for living life to the fullest, in the most beautiful ways.
“If you don’t know you might see it as a huge disadvantage, but for me my disability has opened so many doors through wheelchair racing. I’ve been to four different countries now, I’ve competed in my first national championships, I had my first paralympic trials when I was 15,” Fields said. “There is so much stuff that I’ve done over the last few years that would not be possible if it wasn’t for wheelchair racing and ParaSport.”
Experiencing the world through sport and community. Parasport Spokane is not just an organization with an inspirational mission, it’s a family; one that Fields will never take for granted.
“It’s a place to make friends and it’s a place to train, but also those friendships are deeper because you all have the same goal,” she said.
Pushing forward with unlimited potential, teammates alongside each other. Competition season is just around the corner; national championships are in Marchand the paralympic trials are in July.
And the feeling of lining up at the starting line never gets old for this young, dedicated athlete. The sound of the gun going off, never fails to spark adrenaline like no other.
“When I race, it’s like I’m on a cloud, for a moment before the gun goes off, I’m super nervous, but then the moment it goes off, I’m in my element,” Fields said. “I don’t want to say calm, but it’s peaceful.”
Fields’ pure grit and passion, leading her heart and wheels across the finish line. Her mom describes her as humble, and she definitely is. Fields almost forgot to mention, she has made All-American every year in high school.
“So far, I have three years going, hopefully I can make it a fourth,” she said.
Fields is in her senior year, and college acceptance letters are flying in, but she’s waiting for that special one; acceptance to the University of Illinois, well-known for its excellence in wheelchair sports. The young, aspiring athlete is working hard and crossing her fingers.
The best is yet to come.
“It’s nice to know I have options, but I definitely know where I want to be,” Fields said. “So, just waiting for that.”
Fields wants to compete through college, with her ultimate goal of competing in the Paralympic Games, someday, sitting high on a shelf of hope.
