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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Impaired muscle power
Classification
S4, SB5, SM4
Further personal information
Family
Sons Kaipo and Kaillani, daughter Maila
Residence
Rio de Janeiro, BRA
Occupation
Athlete, Motivational Speaker
Languages
English, Portuguese
Higher education
Physical Education - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul: Porto Alegre, BRA
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
She took up competitive Para swimming in December 2010.
Why this sport?
She was involved in able-bodied swimming and triathlon before she was diagnosed with MSA. She began Para swimming as part of her therapy before taking up the sport more seriously.
Club / Team
Gremio Nautico Uniao [GNU]: Porto Alegre, BRA
International debut
Year
2010
Competing for
Brazil
Location
Toronto, ON, CAN
General interest
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning silver in the mixed 20 points 4x50m freestyle relay at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Jun 2021; veja.abril.com.br, 20 Sep 2016)
Most influential person in career
Her children. (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
Hero / Idol
Brazilian Para swimmer Daniel Dias. (Athlete, 19 Jul 2015)
Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs
"I have a lot of superstitions on the day that I am going to compete. If I wear a swimsuit and I do not perform well, I never want to use it again. Swimming cap and glasses are on that list too. But if I do well, I will use them until they are worn out." (olimpiadatododia.com.br, 22 Apr 2020)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Swimming is us against ourselves, not just against the clock." (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
Awards and honours
In 2017 she received the Sou do Esporte [I am from Sport] Award in the Valour Athlete category in Brazil. (nissan.com.br, 01 Jan 2018; globoesporte.globo.com, 07 Dec 2017)
She was named the 2013 Female Athlete of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB]. (insidethegames.biz, 11 Dec 2013)
She was named the 2013 Female Athlete of the Year by the Brazilian Paralympic Committee [CPB]. (insidethegames.biz, 11 Dec 2013)
Other sports
She has represented Brazil in able-bodied triathlon and competed at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. She also won the national championship in Brazil five times from 1993 to 1997. (olimpiadatododia.com.br, 19 Set 2020; susanaschnarndorf.com.br, 14 Jun 2020; globoesporte.globo.com, 02 Sep 2012)
Ambitions
To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Facebook profile, 30 Mar 2020)
Impairment
She has multiple system atrophy [MSA], a degenerative condition that gradually limits movement, breathing and other functions of the body. Her symptoms were first diagnosed in 2005. "My body is shutting down. I have to fight against it." (susanaschnarndorf.com.br, 14 Jun 2020; esporte.ig.com.br, 08 Sep 2016)
Other information
CATEGORY CHANGES
She has changed classification multiple times due to her degenerative condition since she started competitive Para swimming in 2010. "As my condition progresses, I change class and adjust but I still feel agony. I don't swim like I swam before so I have to change style, know what I can do, and try swimming another way. It's a daily challenge." (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
INSPIRATION FROM CHILDREN
Her ex-husband had to start caring for the couple's three children as her condition deteriorated. Her sons, Kaipo and Kaillani, and her daughter Maila remain a source of motivation for her. "They are my greatest strength. Once upon a time I was not doing well and my oldest son said I couldn't give up, that my dream was his dream too and it wasn't mine alone. Also, he said he was watching me on TV [at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London] and I started to cry and he was like, 'Look where you are'. We never know what will happen. I have my good days, but I have my bad days too. I try to look on the bright side." (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
LIFE STORY
A documentary about her life called 'One Day for Susana' was released in 2018. Producers Giovanna Giovanini and Rodrigo Boecker filmed her going about her everyday life for three years. In 2016 she also appeared in the documentary 'Paratodos' [For All] alongside six other Brazilian Para athletes. (olimpiadatododia.com.br, 19 Oct 2018; Facebook profile, 09 Oct 2018; oglobo.globo.com, 21 Jul 2016; esportes.estadao.com.br, 04 Apr 2016)
She has changed classification multiple times due to her degenerative condition since she started competitive Para swimming in 2010. "As my condition progresses, I change class and adjust but I still feel agony. I don't swim like I swam before so I have to change style, know what I can do, and try swimming another way. It's a daily challenge." (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
INSPIRATION FROM CHILDREN
Her ex-husband had to start caring for the couple's three children as her condition deteriorated. Her sons, Kaipo and Kaillani, and her daughter Maila remain a source of motivation for her. "They are my greatest strength. Once upon a time I was not doing well and my oldest son said I couldn't give up, that my dream was his dream too and it wasn't mine alone. Also, he said he was watching me on TV [at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London] and I started to cry and he was like, 'Look where you are'. We never know what will happen. I have my good days, but I have my bad days too. I try to look on the bright side." (huffpostbrasil.com, 05 Feb 2019)
LIFE STORY
A documentary about her life called 'One Day for Susana' was released in 2018. Producers Giovanna Giovanini and Rodrigo Boecker filmed her going about her everyday life for three years. In 2016 she also appeared in the documentary 'Paratodos' [For All] alongside six other Brazilian Para athletes. (olimpiadatododia.com.br, 19 Oct 2018; Facebook profile, 09 Oct 2018; oglobo.globo.com, 21 Jul 2016; esportes.estadao.com.br, 04 Apr 2016)
Results
| Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 100 m Backstroke S7 | Heat 2 | 2012-08-30 | 7 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB7 | Final Round | 2012-09-01 | 4 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB7 | Heat 2 | 2012-09-01 | 3 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM7 | Final Round | 2012-09-02 | 5 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM7 | Heat 1 | 2012-09-02 | 2 | |
| Women's 100 m Freestyle S7 | Heat 1 | 2012-09-03 | 6 | |
| Women's 400 m Freestyle S7 | Heat 1 | 2012-09-06 | 5 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 400 m Freestyle S6 | Heat 1 | 2013-08-12 | 4 | |
| Women's 400 m Freestyle S6 | Final 1 | 2013-08-12 | 3 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB6 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-13 | 4 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB6 | Final 1 | 2013-08-13 | 1 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM6 | Heat 1 | 2013-08-15 | 9999 | |
| Women's 4x50 m Medley 20pts | Final 1 | 2013-08-16 | 6 | |
| Women's 100 m Freestyle S6 | Heat 2 | 2013-08-18 | 6 | |
| Women's 100 m Freestyle S6 | Final 1 | 2013-08-18 | 5 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Heat 1 | 2015-07-13 | 5 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB6 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-14 | 9999 | |
| Women's 50 m Freestyle S6 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-16 | 19 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM6 | Heat 1 | 2015-07-17 | 12 | |
| Women's 100 m Freestyle S6 | Heat 2 | 2015-07-19 | 14 |
| Event | Medal | Unit | Date | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's 200 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-08 | 5 | |
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Heat 2 | 2016-09-09 | 1 | |
| Mixed 4x50 m Freestyle 20pts | Final Round | 2016-09-09 | 2 | |
| Women's 100 m Breaststroke SB5 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-11 | 5 | |
| Women's 50 m Freestyle S5 | Heat 1 | 2016-09-12 | 5 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Final Round | 2016-09-15 | 7 | |
| Women's 200 m Individual Medley SM5 | Heat 2 | 2016-09-15 | 3 |