Sydney Fowler

Sydney Fowler is a Division I student-athlete, disability advocate, and social media influencer whose journey from sudden paralysis to competitive athletics has drawn a significant following. At age 13, Fowler experienced a staph infection that compressed her thoracic spinal cord, resulting in paralysis from the lower chest down. After two emergency spinal surgeries, she transitioned from competing on a nationally ranked club volleyball team to redefining her role in sports through adaptive athletics.

Fowler entered the world of adaptive sports, returning to CrossFit and competing in the adaptive division, where she earned an eighth-place finish at the CrossFit Games. She also learned to waterski in a seated position using specialized equipment, trained with a Paralympic coach, and joined the Shepherd Skiers competitive waterski team. She expanded her athletic pursuits by taking up wheelchair tennis and was recruited as an affiliate player for Clemson University.

In addition to her athletic endeavors, Fowler is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business marketing with a minor in economics at Anderson University. She launched her own business under the handle @shopsinglesoul and has developed a social media presence with more than 23,000 Instagram followers.

Fowler’s story has been featured by major media outlets including FOX 5 Atlanta, FOX 10 Phoenix, and WCBD News 2, which highlighted her in a multi-part series titled "Still Sydney." Her message emphasizes that significant challenges can serve as catalysts for growth.