#244 Anastasia Pagonis changing the way you “see” the visually impaired

Anastasia Pagonis is the reigning Paralympic champion and current World Record holder in the 400 Free (S11). At 12 years old she began losing her eyesight. Soon after she was diagnosed with genetic retina disease and autoimmune retinopathy. Anastasia has taken to social media to change the stereotype of what it looks to be blind. She has 2.3 million followers on TikTok! "I can be an elite athlete. I can wear makeup. I can dress cute. I can do all these things and I'm blind." - Anastasia Pagonis 00:00 Bratter PA, Immigration Law 00:04 Hello Anastasia Pagonis 01:20 Tokyo Paralympics 02:40 Classification for seeing impaired 04:15 400 Free 05:50 Swimming straight 07:20 Marc Danin 08:30 Genetic retina disease 11:00 Depression 13:55 Tucker Dupree 15:05 Lizzie Smith 15:50 "You don't look blind" 19:20 Radar 20:50 TikTok star 22:56 Training schedule 27:00 World Trials 29:00 LA 2028 Support Our Sponsors: BRATTER PA IMMIGRATION LAW: Exclusive immigration representation of athletes, entrepreneurs, artists, investors, and entertainers. SWIM ANGELFISH: Receive the tools and skills needed to teach swimmers with autism, physical disabilities, anxiety, sensory and motor conditions with Swim Angelfish, the global leader in adaptive swim. Get certified online today! BEINE WELLNESS BUILDING: Individualize your nutrition with genetic testing and personalized plans. Eat, supplement, and recover based on your genetics. VASA: Essential dryland for stronger, better, faster swimmers. Save 10% using the code "brett" at checkout! DESTRO SWIM TOWERS: Save $150 per double swim tower by using the code "brett" at checkout! SWIMNERD: Big and small digital pace clocks, virtual scoreboards, and live results. Subscribe & Listen: Apple Podcasts Google Spotify YouTube Produced by: SWIMNERD #swimming #paralympics #freestyle