Most HHS athletes train for fun or for their upcoming collegiate careers. Alex Aune, senior, is training for something a little bigger than those: the Paralympic Games.

Paralympic swimming is an adaptation of the sport of swimming for athletes with disabilities.

“When I was about a year old, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor about the size of a golf ball,” Aune said. “It took the doctors almost all day to remove it.”

The surgery left Aune paralyzed from neck down.

“Over time it healed and I regained mobility in my body again,” Aune said. “My right arm is still immobile but every day I’m working to strengthen it.”

Alex attributes his positive attitude about his impairment to his faith.

“I used to be worried about what people would think of me, but I think this is all a part of God’s plan for me,” said Aune. “I think this disability is God telling me to be an inspiration to other people.”

Currently, Alex trains with the Courage Kenny swim club at the University of St. Thomas. The team is training for the 2015 Great Lakes Regional Games. Here, Alex will receive his paralympic classification.

Amanda Hawkinson, the head coach of the Courage Kenny swim team, strongly believes Aune can become a paralympic swimmer.

“I have only worked with him for a short time, but I think he certainly has paralympic potential,” Hawkinson said. “In practice, Alex asks a lot of questions on how to improve and work on certain things. He takes the difficult sets in stride, and is a great asset to our team.”

Aune will then move on to  the National Junior Disability Championships. Here he will compete with other swimmers around the U.S. If Aune performs well, he will make the U.S. Paralympic Swimming team.

Because he is not able to move his right arm, Aune has had to overcome the challenge of competing in longer races and intense practices.

“At first I didn’t think I would be able to compete in longer races, and I was even scared to practice,” said Aune. “If it weren’t for the encouragement of my family, friends and teammates, I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

Grant Girod, senior, and a former teammate of Aune’s, believes Aune will make the U.S. team simply because of his work ethic.

“Every day during the season Alex approached me and asked if he needed to improve his form or technique,” Girod said. “He devoted every practice to making himself better.”

Aune’s ultimate goal is to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games.

“I just want to show people that you can do whatever you set your mind to,” Aune said.

Outside of swimming, Alex also plans to excel in the classroom.

“I will be attending Concordia University and will major in teaching,” Aune said. “I want to motivate other people with disabilities, and help them realize that the sky’s the limit for everyone.”