Nicky Nieves inspires next generation of para athletes
NEW YORK (BVM) — When Nicky Nieves first got on the court for Queens College, it was a sense of accomplishment.
She had proven her doubters wrong and her supporters right. Little did she know, this was just the beginning of her opening up the door for the next generation.
Nieves was born without her left hand, but that did not stop her from getting to the collegiate level of volleyball.
“I didn’t see anybody that looked like me,” Nieves said. “I didn’t see anyone that was limb-different or a para athlete. That didn’t exist in my world.”
In Nieves’ experience, despite winning the conference player of the year as a senior in high school, there was always a sense of empathy towards her. Whether it was from the opposing team, coaches or parents, she was treated differently from the rest.
Her arrival in the Knights’ volleyball program was her way of saying that she belonged.
“When I finally got to that stage, it was kind of like I shut everybody up,” Nieves said. “Yes, I am talented. I’m not a charity case. I’m as good as my peers. I can perform.”
Now 15 years later, she is in the midst of a terrific paralympic career.
The United States Sitting National Team reached out while Nieves was still at Queens College and at first, there was some hesitation. But she gave it a chance, and ultimately came to the realization that it was something she did not want to pass up.
“I just saw so much more opportunity for me on the paralympic side than I did on the able-bodied side,” Nieves said. “Opportunities not just athletically, but life wise. Now I had a community of individuals that understood my struggle.”
Being a part of the team also allowed Nieves to travel the world, meeting others with similar experiences and competing with and against them at the biggest stage.
In 2016, she helped lead the United States to a gold medal at the Paralympic games in Rio, a moment of fruition for Nieves.
“Nothing that I did was in vain,” Nieves said. “All the sacrifice I put in, all the sacrifice my family put in, the tears, the time away from family and just the hard work. None of that was in vain because I got what the goal was in the end.”
Unfortunately, she missed the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo due to a positive COVID-19 test, and now awaits the 2024 games in Paris.
Coming up on Day 1 of #LesterAcrossAmerica:@LesterHoltNBC meets Paralympic gold medalist Nicky Nieves, who is teaching lessons on and off the volleyball court.
Join us tonight as Lester anchors from Orlando at 6:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm CT (check your local listings). pic.twitter.com/hIPr9s9fUq
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) May 17, 2021
But in the meantime outside of all of her training, she still finds the time for her nonprofit, Limitless People Inc.
The organization gives the opportunity for people to play volleyball despite financial or physical setbacks. Nieves remembers everyone who helped her along the way and wants to give back in any way she can.
Gold medalist Nicky Nieves gives some pointers to our sitting volleyball tournament participants. pic.twitter.com/h5VOvnOdwC
— UCF IM Sports (@IMSports) November 14, 2015
“If I have the ability to help someone make it a little further in their journey, then I feel like I should do it,” Nieves said. “You never know who you’re talking to or who you’re helping. I literally could be helping the next Olympian or Paralympian.”
While Nieves helps directly, anyone can help. All it takes is tuning into an event and showing your support.
“Big corporations and big companies understand everything by numbers and dollars,” Nieves said. “If they see people supporting, they know that it’s worth it. Then they’ll be more willing to support us as well.”
While the money aspect will help the paralympic movement continue to grow, words of encouragement can be just as helpful. Nieves’ ultimate message for the next wave is to never give up.
“Don’t ever stop trying. When there’s a will, there’s a way,” Nieves said. “Everybody has some type of adaptation as crazy as that sounds. Sometimes we see it, sometimes we don’t. It doesn’t matter what anyone says, just keep going towards your dream. You want to feel like you did everything you could to make that dream a possibility because the worst feeling is looking back and having the feeling of regret.”
