Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris

Kym Crosby loves racing because it’s freeing, it’s the one thing she can do without any help. She’s a Paralympic sprinter who competed in the Rio games, and is on her way to Tokyo in 2021. She was born with albinism and has 2400 vision, which makes her legally blind. She’s coined the phrase limited sight, limitless dreams as a motto to live by, and inspire her Paralympic pursuits. In the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Kim won a bronze medal. She says she wasn’t that confident going in, because the world record for her race was shattered during the prelims. Because she’s visually impaired the race was over, she had no idea how she’d fared. A photographer stopped her to give his congratulations - he was the one tell her she’d medadled in the race. Racing is a family sport, Kym’s husband, Erik Hightower is also a US track and field Paralympian. Erik was born with spina bifida and has been wheelchair racing for over a decade. He and Kym are able to travel and train together. Erik and Kym say they’re teammates in life as well. Kym was born with albinism and as a result began losing her sight in high school, when she started using a cane. In college she got her seeing eye dog, Keystone, who she credits with saving her life. Kym is also bi-racial, and half Jamaican though she says it’s not how she’s usually viewed given that albinism makes her skin light. Kym had a lot of issues with her skin and sunscreen growing up because of her sport and albinism. She recently accepted a sponsorship with SPOTMYUV; a sticker that helps remind you when to reapply sunscreen. She says she hasn’t gotten a sunburn since using the product. Ikponwosa Ero was appointed as the first Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism. She too is a black woman in the albinism community, and says people in her and Kim’s position have a unique perspective on racism because of their perceived whiteness and ability to witness to racism against their families. The biggest thing you can do to help people with albinism, Ero says is help raise awareness. She and Kym are leaders in the movement to raise this kind of awareness. Kym leaves listeners with the advice to not take anything too personally, and to surround yourself with positivity. Links: Learn more about Kim Crosby. Connect with Becky on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about the Flame Bearers podcast.