Grace Nuhfer, a junior at The University of Akron, is both a college swimmer and Para athlete. Grace suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes hypermobility in the joints, as well brittle cornea syndrome.
In the world of competitive swimming, Grace Nuhfer, age 21, stands out not just for her remarkable talent in the water, but for her determination and resilience. Hailing from Indiana, Grace’s journey into the world of swimming began at the age of 7 despite being born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that causes hypermobility in the joints, and brittle cornea syndrome that affects her vision and makes her corneas fragile and misshapen. With a sister who had to have a double corneal transplant 10 years ago, the risk to Grace is very real.
“I love swimming because it’s the only sport I was allowed to do,” she said. “I have no limitations in the water like I do outside the pool. I’m not allowed to play any contact sports because of the risk of rupturing my corneas.”
Her passion for swimming led her to The University of Akron, where she is pursuing a business/data analytics major and philosophy/pre-law minor.
“I was drawn to the team culture and the success of the program,” she said.
In 2023, Grace suffered a wrist injury that sidelined her for 3 months.
Excelling in events like the 100-meter fly, 50- and 100-meter free, and 200-meter individual medley, Grace has proven herself in the pool, earning a spot on the U.S. Paralympic National Team in the S13 class.
“I have issues with depth perception and seeing the wall, so I race against people in similar situations,” she said. “In my class, we don’t get assistance or tappers.”
To qualify for the Paralympic team, Grace had to meet the time standards as well as provide medical documentation and get tested in person.
Now in her junior year, Grace balances her commitments to both Akron’s team and the Paralympic squad – having spent time in both Colorado Springs and Chile for camps and events last year with the national team.
Grace’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Last spring, she suffered a wrist injury that sidelined her for 3 months.
Grace hopes to make the Team USA Paralympic Team for the Paralympic Games being held in Paris this year.
“I dove in the water and felt my wrist pop. I thought it was a sprain,” she said. “I kept training, but it never went away. I had an MRI, which revealed 2 torn ligaments and a displaced bone.”
In March 2023 she had surgery with hand and microvascular surgeon Dr. Drew Engles who did a fusion on her left wrist. While she recovered, she was relegated to dry land last spring and summer.
“I worked with athletic trainer Sheila Schrack and did physical therapy at the hospital,” she said. “I lost a lot of motion in my right wrist so it’s stiff, but there is no pain.”
As she prepares for the Paralympic time trials at the end of June, Grace remains focused on her goal – making the U.S. Paralympic Swim Team and swimming this summer in the Paralympics. Her love for swimming transcends the pool; it’s a sanctuary where her genetic conditions don’t dictate her abilities.
Although she’s a transplant to the Akron area, Grace is enjoying her adopted town. She did an internship with the university’s soccer team last summer where she honed her sports photography and social media skills.
“Akron is really cool, I’m very fond of the community,” she said.
Akron Children’s is the official sports health services provider for Akron Zips Athletics and offers a sports health facility on The University of Akron campus.
