Members of CNY Adaptive Sports gather with Paralympian Mallory Weggemann after the WATERSHED screening, celebrating a night of shared stories, strength, and community. (Photo by Bruce Strong)
CNY Adaptive Sports and Syracuse University Students Connect Through WATERSHED
Paralyzed at 18, Mallory Weggemann defied the odds to become a five-time Paralympic medalist, earning gold, silver, and bronze across three Games—London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020.
CNY Adaptive Sports joined students, faculty, and staff from across Syracuse University for a screening of WATERSHED, the deeply personal documentary by Paralympian Mallory Weggemann and her husband Jay Snyder.
More than a sports film, WATERSHED sparked reflection across disciplines—students in design, journalism, and public health engaged with themes of identity, disability, IVF, and storytelling.
The directors’ presence was felt throughout the film, and their honesty about navigating trauma, parenthood, and purpose resonated deeply—not just with athletes, but with the broader campus community.
For many students, it was their first time seeing disability and resilience portrayed with such nuance. The film didn’t just tell a story—it invited viewers to rethink how they see others and themselves.
CNY Adaptive Sports was proud to be part of a night where storytelling became a bridge between lived experience and learning.