In the vast expanse of the open water, where challenges await and determination prevails, a young girl finds her purpose. She can’t hear the cheers of the crowd, but she understands the language of the sea – a connection that empowers her in ways words never could.
The Record-Breaking Swim That Stunned the World
At just 13 years old, Jiya Rai, a para swimmer with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), accomplished what many seasoned athletes only dream of – swimming 29 kilometres across the treacherous Palk Strait from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in India in a remarkable 13 hours and 10 minutes. This extraordinary feat made her the youngest and fastest female swimmer to ever cross this challenging stretch of water.
But Jiya’s achievements didn’t stop there. She later conquered the English Channel, swimming 34 kilometres from England to France in 17 hours and 25 minutes, becoming the world’s youngest and fastest para swimmer to accomplish this feat. In the 150-year history of Channel swimming, Jiya made history as the first girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder to cross the English Channel in solo swimming.
The Silent Struggles Behind the Triumph
After being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 2, Jiya struggled with communication and understanding verbal instructions – a significant barrier in a world built around spoken language. She wasn’t speaking and showed little interest in social interactions.
At the neighbourhood park, she faced taunts from both children and adults who didn’t understand her condition.The rejection didn’t end there. Initially, even neighbours excluded her from events, inviting only her younger brother instead. When she first attempted to enter swimming competitions, organizers hesitated due to her condition, creating unnecessary delays and barriers. Getting approval for her English Channel swim took months of effort, as no swimmer with autism had participated before.
Finding Her Element: Water as Therapy and Freedom
Jiya’s transformative relationship with water began at age two and a half when her parents took her to a nearby pool. What started as therapy soon revealed itself as her true calling. Not only did she take to swimming naturally, but it also helped her communicate better and fulfil her needs.
For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, water provides a unique sensory environment. The water on the body has a calming effect and reduces overwhelming noises that can be distressing for those with ASD. This soothing environment emphasizes gentle, repetitive motion that helps children cope with everyday stresses outside of the water as well.
Innovative Training Methods for an Extraordinary Mind
Training a champion swimmer with autism required innovative approaches. When a coach refused to train her due to her condition, Jiya’s mother stepped in, training under the coach herself to pass on the lessons to her daughter.
Despite being non-verbal, Jiya possessed keen observation skills that became the foundation of her training method. Her parents installed a 54-inch TV and showed her swimming videos, from which she learned all four swimming strokes in just one month – simply by watching and observing.
Her daily routine is nothing short of extraordinary. Jiya wakes up at 4 AM, spends 40-50 minutes preparing for her day, and begins three and a half hours of physical training by 5 AM. This is followed by academic studies and school. Every day, she dedicates six to seven hours to swimming and three to four hours to physical training.
Communication Through Visual Cues: Her Unique Language
Since Jiya is non-verbal, a unique system was developed to help her understand complex concepts like distances and time. She now understands commands like “Wait” and “Your Turn” for pool events, while single words like “Sea” and “Big” indicate she’ll be swimming longer distances.
Before each major swim, her family takes her to the course a few days ahead and takes a boat ride, as Jiya quietly observes the water. They take photos of the start and finish points and create posters with these images, which they put up on the boats that follow her during her swims. Once she spots these visual cues in the distance while swimming, she turns and smiles – a signal that she’s on track and motivated to continue.
For the challenging Palk Strait swim, her mother Rachana took on the task of preparing Jiya psychologically. She marked the date on a calendar and showed it to Jiya multiple times daily, explaining it would be her most difficult swim yet.
A Personality Defined by Determination, Not Disability
Her father noticed that in any championship, Jiya would begin slow and then gradually catch up. This observation led to the realization she was better suited for long-distance races rather than short sprints – a decision that became a game-changer in her career.
Jiya’s story transcends sports. It’s about breaking barriers, challenging perceptions, and redefining possibilities for children with autism everywhere. Her journey from a non-verbal child facing social exclusion to a world record holder and international champion offers hope to countless families navigating the challenges of autism.
The goal is to spread the message that Autism is not an illness but a characteristic, deserving of respect and inclusion.