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The Paralympian and social media star wants to show the world what blindness really is.
And Lord knows, shes been tested.
Plot twist: Her videos are often filmed by her mom, because Pagonis is blind.
The Long Islander began losing her vision at age 11.
Adjusting to her new reality resulted in a period of deep depression that nearly swallowed her.
Going blind meant losing the life she knew but finding her purpose.
A lifelong athlete, Pagonis says swimming offered her a much-needed sense of freedom and independence.
And knowing when to turn at walls was definitely the most challenging.
My life is on the line, she says of this partnership.
Im swimming into a cement wall, so trust and precision are the most important to me.
(All this while the2024 Paris Paralympicsloom.)
Influencer life can be just as harrowing.
Still, none of it has discouraged her from sharing her story.
Ive definitely gone through a lot in my 19 years.
Ive learned resilience very, very well.
Below, Bustle chats with Pagonis about competition, ambition, and celebrating her support system.
What does swimming mean to you?
Swimming is my happy place.
Its where I feel most free.
I dont need my guide dog, Radar.
I dont need my cane.
I dont need anything.
Its just me and the water.
How did you discover that you could be not just good at swimming, but exceptional at it?
I had a passion for swimming from the first moment I got in the water.
I just had this connection with it.
I felt that everything was kind of taken from me.
And unfortunately, it was not the same.
I had to really learn how to swim all over again.
And it was very hard.
Lots of bumps, bruises, cuts, broken bones, concussions.
But I knew I had the opportunity to be amazing.
And my family and I were going to do everything we could to get me there.
You hope to compete in Paris next year?
Ive had a pretty hectic year.
I got a concussion last November, and that kind of threw me for a loop.
But I had to do it for my mental health.
I got shoulder surgery, which I needed to do to be able to compete at the highest level.
And they ended up needing to put five anchors all around my shoulder and cutting into my bicep.
I can get back in the pool in December, which is a long time away.
Right now, Im doing everything in my power to keep my body in shape.
But its definitely mentally draining.
Were a year out from Paris, and Im kind of freaking out!
Were trying to keep cool over here.
Im just saying to myself, Im going to come back even better.
Youdohave a track record of overcoming challenges.
Obviously, it wasnt just me who deserved those medals.
Who is in that support system?
My mom is my best friend, my ride or die.
She will literally do anything to check that everything is clear in my path.
And my dad is amazing.
Hes like the fun guy.
He wants to double-check Im having fun and that Im doing everything that makes me happy.
And I have my therapist, who Ive been working with since I lost my vision.
And shes honestly like a friend to me now.
My guide dog, Radar, has changed my life so much.
I really didnt have independence before him.
I always had to rely on my parents helping me.
Its me and Radar.
Although sometimes I do need someone who can read and speak.
Not that Radar is not a genius, but you know.
Youve said that you lost friends when you went blind?
Its really sad, but I lost a lot of people in my life through my vision loss.
When youre different, kids want nothing to do with you.
At the time, it was super hard.
It took years to get the correct diagnosis, right?
I started losing my vision at 11.
I dont know if I was always visually impaired, because it was my normal.
But at 11, my parents started noticing problems.
And then at 14, I had the big drop in my vision.
I was actually misdiagnosed twice.
But that wasnt the case.
My body thinks my retinas are bad and attacks them.
I was very blessed in the eye department.
Were you homeschooled after that?
How did you do high school?
I was homeschooled, and I got Braille and technology training through my school district.
I made it to first grade Braille.
You have a substantial following on TikTok and Instagram.
Whats your goal with social media?
My whole thing is breaking down stereotypes and changing the way you see the visually impaired.
I want to show people that this is what blindness is.
Photographs by Elena Mudd
Photo Director: Alex Pollack
SVP Fashion: Tiffany Reid
SVP Creative: Karen Hibbert
