A biography for Jessica Longhasn’t been written yet.
“There was a time in 2008 where no one really wanted to talk to the Paralympic athletes.”
“Bedtime is truly one of my favorite times.”
“I'm a leap year baby.”
“When I look back on my life, I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, have I swum the entire world? How many miles have I actually swam?'”
“Before the Paralympic movement I definitely didn't like wearing shorts because people would stare at me.”
“I met my sister Nastya, and saw that I looked very much like her. Nastya is just a year younger than I am.”
“Sometimes 15 minutes of putting in a deep conditioner or doing my makeup are all I need to feel good.”
“I had the freedom to be alone with myself, completely unlimited by my circumstances or my body while doing what I loved. I think that's why I took to swimming with such ease.”
“I think in today's world, we're so busy, and we're so distracted. But it's also really important to slow down.”
“I'd love to see the 200s, the 50s, the 400 IM. I would do so many events.”
“For swimming, we don't really have an offseason.”
“Swimming was truly a way that I just felt that freedom from all of those surgeries and the pain.”
“I love routines and love having something to look forward to.”
“I don't mind if adults stare. They should really know about my physical situation.”
“It would be really cool to teleport.”
“As soon as we landed in Tokyo, that's when I was like, OK. I really want to bring home a gold medal.'”
“Swimming, it's the best job.”
“There was so much pain. Every time I grew, I had to go back in for a surgery. And I remember just being really, really scared but also, like, knowing exactly what to do. Like as a 3-year-old, I knew to crawl on top of the operating table.”
“I'd love the gold and that's what I'm obviously going for, but if I never bring home another gold in my life, I am more than enough.”
“It's never been just about me. It's about my grandparents who used to drive me to swim practice. My dad who - on his one day to sleep in - would take me to swim meets. My mom and my sisters who would massage my aching shoulders when I was little There have been so many people who have believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.”