Episode 5.4: En Garde with Trinity Lowthian: Paris 2024 Paralympic Stories
On this episode of 21st Century Disability, I sit down with Ottawa wheelchair fencer Trinity Lowthian to talk about how she became disabled, what it’s really like living with feeding tubes, and how she found her way into wheelchair fencing. We also get into where she’s competed so far and the academic wins she’s worked hard for along the way.
What You’ll Learn
What it can look like to become disabled and adapt to major life changes
A clearer understanding of feeding tubes (including different types) and day-to-day realities of living with one
How someone gets started in wheelchair fencing, and what training/competition can involve
Ways to pursue sport and academics at the same time, even with complex medical needs
Who Zeen tends to be a good fit for (and who it may not be for)
Topics We Cover
Trinity’s story: how she became disabled
Feeding tubes we’ve both experienced
Different tube types and practical considerations
Trinity’s path into wheelchair fencing
How she found the sport
Where she has competed and what competition has been like
Trinity’s academic achievements and what helped her succeed
Standout Moments / Quotable Lines
A candid look at the learning curve of adjusting to disability and rebuilding routines
Practical, lived-experience talk about feeding tube life—what people often misunderstand and what actually helps
The moment Trinity realized wheelchair fencing could be a serious competitive path, not just “something to try”
How Trinity approaches high performance + academics without sacrificing her health
Who This Episode Is For
Disabled listeners navigating new diagnoses or major changes and looking for perspective
Anyone living with (or caring for someone with) a feeding tube who wants more real-world conversation about it
People curious about adaptive sports, especially wheelchair fencing
Students and athletes trying to balance health, school, and training
Allies who want to better understand disability beyond inspiration tropes—through lived experience
Follow Trinity
Instagram: @lowthian_can
Support the Canadian Paralympic Team
Donate: https://paralympic.ca/donate
