Aaron Paulson (born April 4, 1977, in Bombay, India) is a distinguished adaptive athlete, renowned for his achievements in both swimming and kayaking. His journey is marked by overcoming adversity, demonstrating exceptional perseverance, and embracing new challenges.
Paulson's life took a transformative turn when he was adopted as an infant and brought to Portland, Oregon. Despite being diagnosed with polio, his parents sought care for him at Shriners Hospital, where he received ongoing support for his development. Though doctors initially believed he might never walk independently, Paulson's love for sports, encouraged by his brother Jess, drove him to participate in various activities.
At the age of 12, Paulson discovered his passion for swimming. Friends introduced him to the pool, and he taught himself to swim. His natural talent and dedication earned him the nickname "Phish," as his friends noted his fluid movements in the water. Paulson credits his competitiveness, hard work, and persistence for his success. He even defied expectations by learning to walk with the aid of crutches. By high school, he was the captain of the Parkrose High School water polo team.
Paulson's swimming career progressed rapidly. He advanced through age-group competitions, qualifying for junior nationals and ultimately the Paralympic Games. He competed in five Paralympic Games from 1992 in Barcelona to 2008 in Beijing.
His Paralympic achievements include three medals (2 gold, 1 bronze).
Following his swimming career, Paulson embraced a new athletic challenge in kayaking. Introduced to the sport by veteran kayaker Sam Drevo, Paulson quickly became a national figure in flatwater kayaking. He participated in the 2016 World Championships in the Kayak single KL2 200m event and narrowly missed qualifying for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
A University of Oregon alumnus, Paulson works as a compliance specialist for the Bonneville Power Administration. He is also dedicated to giving back to the community, particularly supporting young people under the care of Shriners Hospital. Paulson's personal philosophy, "don’t just watch the fire burn, be a part of the accelerant that keeps it burning,” reflects his proactive and inspiring approach to life.