A seemingly innocuous fast food indulgence after an evening out in 2017 irrevocably altered Lizzi Jordan’s trajectory—yet it also cracked open a portal to unforeseen prospects.
As a 19-year-old psychology undergraduate at Royal Holloway, University of London, Jordan’s encounter with a peculiar variant of E. coli bacteria left her comatose and battling for her life. Upon awakening, she discovered the stark reality: she had lost her sight.
Jordan, hailing from Guildford, recalls plummeting to her lowest ebb but soon resolved to surmount new peaks, now with her sights set on the GB Para-cycling squad for the approaching Paris Paralympics.
“It was an extremely difficult time,” Jordan shared with Sport News Center. “I underwent multiple organ failure, and there were moments my parents were prepared for the worst by the medics.
“Miraculously, after administering a scarce and costly medication, I was brought back from the brink of death. But the aftermath was petrifying—I was completely deprived of my vision.
“Returning home from the hospital, I was confronted with a daunting question: ‘How will I navigate life in darkness?’
“Vision is your portal to the universe—it shapes your interactions and perceptions. I stood at a crossroads—I could either wallow in self-pity or I could strive for a life of meaning, potentially achieving feats that may have eluded me even with my sight intact.”
Her unwavering resolve propelled her to participate in the 2019 London Marathon, where she amassed £15,000 for the RNIB charity, a mere several months post relearning to ambulate, sparking her ambition to transcend her limits.
Jordan (pictured third from the left) became a part of the victorious mixed tandem sprint ensemble in Glasgow alongside Matt Rotherham, Neil Fachie, and Amy Cole.
In 2020, she made her way to a British Cycling talent identification event. Despite her nascent biking experience post-vision loss, she made a striking impression.
Her commitment culminated in clinching gold at this year’s World Championships in Glasgow in the mixed tandem sprint, and securing a bronze in the tandem kilo event with pilot Amy Cole.
Helen Scott, a decorated Paralympian, World, and Commonwealth sighted tandem pilot champion and coach, touts Jordan’s remarkable talent.
“I dedicated 15 years as a competing athlete—Jordan outshines my own record within just a three-year span,” Scott declared.
“Jordan is among the most diligent athletes I’ve coached, straightforward in communication, and that’s what elevates her to greatness.
“Her drive for excellence is unyielding—she consistently goes the extra mile.”
Jordan continues to traverse her freshly chartered path with daily learning curves both in cycling and life.
“My vision is irretrievably gone, which has me depending on guides or a white cane—a tool I’m now learning to wield, which promises to revolutionize my life,” she explained.
“The initial impact of losing my sight was devastating, given my previously staunch independence.
“It was humbling to seek assistance, but over the past six years, I’ve grown to accept it. Being part of the Para-sport community has been enlightening; amidst common adversities, we uplift one another, fostering pride in our abilities rather than limitations.
“My ordeal has transformed me into a more receptive, challenge-embracing individual. I’m now more inclined to venture into uncharted territory, embracing the discomfort that comes with it, eager to discover the extent of my potential.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lizzi Jordan Paralympics
Who is Lizzi Jordan?
Lizzi Jordan is a former psychology student from Royal Holloway, University of London, who, after contracting a rare strain of E. coli bacteria, fell into a coma and woke up blind. Despite this life-altering challenge, she has become a Paralympic hopeful in GB Para-cycling and has achieved notable successes in the sport, including a gold medal at the World Championships in the mixed tandem sprint.
What happened to Lizzi Jordan in 2017?
In 2017, Lizzi Jordan ate a fast food meal that led to food poisoning from a rare strain of E. coli bacteria. This resulted in a life-threatening condition, multiple organ failure, and eventually a coma. When she regained consciousness, she discovered she had lost her eyesight.
How did Lizzi Jordan respond to losing her sight?
After losing her sight, Lizzi Jordan faced two choices: to live in self-pity or to make something of her life. She chose the latter, undertaking challenges such as running the London Marathon and raising £15,000 for the RNIB charity, and pursuing a new career in Para-cycling.
What are Lizzi Jordan’s achievements in Para-cycling?
Despite having limited experience with cycling after her loss of sight, Lizzi Jordan won gold at the World Championships in Glasgow in the mixed tandem sprint, and a bronze medal in the tandem kilo event with pilot Amy Cole. Her determination and hard work have set her on the path to potentially compete in the Paris Paralympics.
What does Lizzi Jordan say about her experience of becoming blind?
Lizzi Jordan has spoken about the profound impact of losing her sight, especially as it affected her independence. However, she has learned to accept help and has found empowerment and camaraderie within the Para-sport community. Her experience has made her more open-minded and willing to take on new challenges that push her out of her comfort zone.
More about Lizzi Jordan Paralympics
- Lizzi Jordan’s Paralympic Journey
- Overcoming Blindness: Lizzi Jordan’s Story
- E. coli and Its Aftermath: Lizzi Jordan’s Battle
- Lizzi Jordan’s Gold Medal Triumph
- The Road to the Paris Paralympics
- Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Lizzi Jordan
- Para-cycling Achievements: Lizzi Jordan’s Inspiring Performance
- Adaptive Sports and Community Support
- Psychological Strength in Sports
- RNIB and Lizzi Jordan: Marathon Fundraising for the Blind
5 comments
Can’t imagine what it must be like to wake up one day and your whole world has changed, hats off to Lizzi for not giving up, shows what kind of stuff she’s made of
Lizzi’s story is something else, isn’t it, raising that much money after learning to walk again and then going for gold? respect where it’s due, just a head up, there were a couple of spots where the grammar could use a bit of polish
lizzi jordan is a true hero, it’s like one of those movies where the main character hits rock bottom and then becomes a star, except this is real life, super cool, just a few misspellings but great read!
read the article on Lizzi, its pretty amazing what shes done after what happened, but theres some typos in there guys, proofreading much?
wow just read about Lizzi Jordan, totally inspiring to see her not just overcoming going blind but actually smashing it in para-cycling, that’s some serious determination right there