When Jasmine Greenwood steps onto the pool deck to represent Australia on the world stage, her quiet determination and elite athleticism are immediately clear. But, behind every medal and every personal best lies a story of extraordinary resilience. 

Now, at 20 years old, Jasmine is a five-time World Champion team member for the Australian Para Swimming team. Yet, her journey began when she was just six with an unexpected and life-threatening turn of events. 

A sudden illness that changed everything 

“It started on a Friday night after school,” Jasmine recalls. “I suddenly got really sick and had severe stomach pain. My parents rushed me to our local hospital in Nowra. Luckily, a visiting professor was there and recognised how serious it was. My appendix was severely infected. They took it out straight away.” 

But by then, the infection had already spread through her bloodstream. Jasmine developed sepsis, a dangerous, body-wide response to infection which made its way to her brain and triggered two strokes on the right side, impacting the left side of her body. 

“I was on life support for two weeks. My blood pressure was dangerously low, and I was slumped on the left side in the hospital bed,” she says. “No one knew what was wrong at first until my mum pushed for answers. Eventually, a paediatrician confirmed I’d had a stroke.” 

It would take weeks to fully understand the damage. For Jasmine, life as she knew it was forever changed.

Learning to live with a brain injury 

After her hospital stay, Jasmine faced a long recovery. The strokes left Jasmine with left-side weakness and a tremor in her left hand and leg. She had to relearn how to walk, talk, and do even the most basic things. 

 “I had to learn how to walk again,” she says. “That took a lot of energy. Swimming came more easily.” 

Growing up on the coast of New South Wales, swimming had always been part of her life. “I had to go back to basics, relearn how to swim. It felt natural even easier than walking.” 

It was in the water that Jasmine found not just therapy, but a calling. A learn-to-swim instructor noticed her talent and mentioned that she might qualify for Para Swimming. Jasmine and her family had never heard of it before. Once she was classified, her path in sport accelerated.

Discovering Para Swimming and purpose 

By 12, Jasmine had earned a spot on the Australian Para Swimming Team becoming the youngest female para swimmer to do so at the time. Since then, she has trained and competed relentlessly, rising to international success. 

She won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, representing her country on the biggest stage in para sport. Just two years later, she brought home gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, solidifying her place among Australia’s swimming elite. 

“I wouldn’t be who I am without swimming,” she says. “It’s been the number one thing that’s helped me heal – mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually.” 

Jasmine is representing Australia on the world championship team for the fifth time in Singapore this September. 

What it’s like growing up with a brain injury

While her success in the pool has been extraordinary, Jasmine says growing up with a brain injury was often an isolating experience. 

“Yeah, it’s definitely hard.” She shares. “I found growing up, no one really spoke to me about it. Everyone sort of turned a blind eye, which I guess is kind of alright when you’re a kid because you don’t want to be different. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course. But, when you’re a kid, you don’t understand. You know other people’s perception and all that kind of thing. So, that all comes into play. You might feel self-conscious and I guess I just felt different, which I was. That’s fine, I know that now.” 

Even now, Jasmine says it can still be challenging. “People treat me as Jasmine, which is good! But, sometimes I wish they understood my limits more. Why I get tired out of nowhere, or why I might suddenly have so much energy. It’s hard to explain.” 

She reflects with humour, “I’m definitely a homebody. I’m like a 20-year-old grandma and honestly, I kind of love that.” 

Beyond the pool: a passion for psychology 

Jasmine’s life isn’t just defined by sport. She’s now three years into a part-time psychology degree, motivated by a deep desire to understand the brain, her own as well as others. 

“People always ask if I’m going into sports psych,” she laughs. “Honestly, I just want to understand more about how the brain works after injury. My own experience made me curious and think ‘how can I help others through this?’.” 

She’s particularly fascinated by the brain’s ability to heal, adapt, and reconnect after trauma. 

“It’s amazing to me that your brain can literally rewire itself. Understanding people’s behaviours, their personalities, it’s everything.” 

Though she’s not yet sure if she’ll pursue honours, a Master’s, or potentially transition into Occupational Therapy, Jasmine knows one thing – she wants to work in healthcare to help others who’ve been through what she has. 

“I remember OT being a big part of my life. You learn everything again – how to use a knife and fork, how to tie your shoes. That stuff sticks with you.” 

Outside of sport and study, Jasmine is passionate about championing women, particularly in sport and is working on a side project. “I’m trying to start my own sort of thing, I’m very invested in female sport, but also just women in general, like empowering women. So, my side hustle now is gathering the tools for that.” 

Words of wisdom 

“My advice is that everyone’s brain injury is unique. Mine was caused by sepsis, but others might have a stroke, a brain haemorrhage, a blood clot, or something else entirely. Everyone has their own story and your story is unique to you. You shouldn’t compare it to anyone else’s, especially their recovery.” 

“It’s such an individual journey, and it can be really hard. I can’t say, ‘You’ll be fine’ or ‘It gets easier’ because the truth is, it’s not always easy. I’ve lived with a brain injury for 14 years, and that’s a long time.” 

“Just remember that you’re not alone. Lean on the people around you. They love you and want to support you. And most importantly, know that only you truly understand your story and what you’re going through.” 

From a hospital bed to the Paralympic podium, Jasmine Greenwood’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. Through every setback and stroke of recovery, she’s charted her own course (not just toward gold medals) but toward understanding, purpose, and a powerful future helping others do the same.