When St. Louis region resident Keira was 13 months old, her parents were told she'd never walk. When she was 20 months old, Keira was diagnosed with one of the rarest forms of polio, bulbospinal, a type with which only 0.001% of all polio patients are diagnosed.
Now 18 years old, this Shriners Children’s St. Louis patient is not only walking, but has had major success in para archery and is aiming for the 2028 Paralympics. After many surgeries and physical/occupational therapy treatments with the nonprofit healthcare system, the teen says she’s ready to accomplish this next life goal.
When she was 12 years old, her Shriners Children’s physical therapist recommended she try swimming to help with pain and to get exercise. From there, she competed in various disciplines, and has now tried track and field, powerlifting, rock climbing, snow skiing, water skiing, golfing, air rifle and scuba diving.
However, archery became Keira’s true love.
She says her archery journey began after being inspired by the movie "Brave," and she started shooting a plastic bow at a screen door. Her love for archery continued, and Keira’s relationship with Shriners Children’s went beyond medical visits. The Shriners Moolah YOMO group built Keira’s archery stool she leans against when she’s on the line aiming.
"Through archery, I hope I inspire others to never hold back on trying what you want to do. You could try something you think at first you might not be interested in, then it becomes your true love. I love sports in general because it gives me determination and strength to help build myself not only physically but also mentally.”
As the current youngest female classified para archer in the world, Keira has won 17 gold medals in archery and placed top 10 in the 2023 Chicago Para-Archery Championship, an event against competitors of all ages from around the world.
“It’s been a dream of mine as long as I can remember to make it to the Paralympics,” Keira says.