Jamal Hill is UNSTOPPABLE

The CMT Research Foundation partnered with Los Angeles-based, Jamal Hill a CMT patient ranked #1 in the US Paralympic 50-meter Freestyle swimming and #3 in the world. Their joint mission is to increase public awareness of the impact CMT has on patients and the need to fund research for a cure.

Mr. Hill was named to the 2021 US Paralympic team and secured a bronze medal at his Paralympic debut in the Men’s 50m Freestyle in Tokyo. This year, he travels to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games in early September. Before that, he competed in international Paralympic swimming competition at Citi Para Swimming World Series events in both Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy and Indianapolis.

Mr. Hill was only 10 years old when his body started to fail him. He experienced total paralysis and doctors considered amputating his right arm. His undiagnosed CMT threatened to alter Mr. Hill’s entire life, including his passion for swimming. But through sheer will, faith, and determination he has regained his mobility and is at the top of his game as a competitive swimmer. At 23 years old he was finally diagnosed with CMT type 1X.

“CMT breaks the trust between you and your body, the sharp needles in your arms and legs and the emptiness you feel losing friends who don’t have the disease. CMT is our reality. It lives within each of us a little bit differently. I’ve experienced the ugliest parts of it. Although we know CMT is all of these things, let me share with you the most important thing CMT is not. CMT is not going to stop you from growing stronger and trusting your body more. CMT has made me UNSTOPPABLE!”

“We invited Jamal to share his story at the CMTRF Global Convention last fall (September 2023) in Boston and the entire room was moved to tears by his grit, his resolve and his determination NOT to let CMT stop him,” says Cleary Simpson, CMTRF CEO. “He profoundly articulated not just the physical challenges of CMT, but the emotional toll it takes on patients. His resolve to be UNSTOPPABLE has become one of the centerpieces of our awareness campaign, and, we will be cheering loudly for Jamal in the Paris games!”

Hill became a CMTRF Ambassador in 2023, running our UNSTOPPABLE program which provides assisted fundraising opportunities for our volunteers that supports research and gives back to the CMT community.

Since then, CMTRF has launched UNSTOPPABLE shirts and bears to remind those with CMT that they, too, are UNSTOPPABLE.

Jamal developed a love for swimming through a local YMCA “Mommy & Me” swim class. It was evident that Jamal was a natural born swimmer. After his paralysis and recovery at age 10, his parents encouraged him to use CMT as an opportunity to overcome challenges and inspire others. Jamal pushed through the pain and fear of being seen and treated differently and swam competitively in high school, receiving a swimming scholarship to Hiram College in Northeast Ohio. In three years, Jamal left Ohio to train under the University of Southern California’s Dave Salo and USC’s prestigious Trojan Elite Swim Team.

Jamal, who trains 14 hours every week, is now working with mental performance coach and swim consultant Wilma Wong. Jamal credits her innovative training style and techniques with improving his standing from unranked amateur to number one in the nation within one year.

Jamal’s passion for swimming extends well beyond his personal and professional goals for Tokyo 2021. Every day in the US, approximately ten people die from unintentional drowning. Among them two are children aged 14 or younger. In an attempt to lower the drowning rate, Mr. Hill launched the Swim Up Hill Foundation Inc. which will teach one million students how to swim annually by the fall of 2028. This involves launching a Grants Department, expanding staff, and strategically promoting the foundation’s land-based curriculum to national YMCA clubs. With a focus on local engagement, Jamal aims to execute impactful initiatives like the SoCal Swim Project and sponsor swim education for hundreds of students in Los Angeles. Furthermore, he’s committed to extending the foundation’s reach nationally and internationally, forging partnerships in San Francisco, Michigan, Houston, Mali and Medellin. Through immediate actions such as developing a media kit, securing large franchise sponsors and enhancing promotional advertising, Jamal endeavors to make 2024 a year of unprecedented personal and organizational achievement, leaving a legacy of excellence and impact.

To support Swim Up Hill or Mr. Hill’s Paralympic preparation, click here or visit www.swimuphill.org/donate-here .

Jamal recently did an in-depth interview with WBUR. To listen, click here.

Jamal Hill will be representing Team USA when he competes at the Paralympic games, beginning August 28.

UNSTOPPABLE BEARS

UNSTOPPABLE SHIRTS