North Little Rock community hosts send off for Jillian Elwart as she heads to the Paralympic Games in Paris

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Jillian Elwart is thankful to her friends and family, but most importantly, her daughter, for throwing her a send-off party as she prepares for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

"It's an honor not only to carry my community but carry my nation and proudly wear our colors," Jillian Elwart said.

Her journey to the Paralympics began while raising her daughter.

"I started recreationally canoeing and kayaking in Arkansas, you know we are the Natural State," Elwart said.

Enjoying every aspect of the Natural State and its beautiful waters.

Elwart thought canoeing would be a way to push herself both physically and mentally.

Elwart was born with a congenital disability known as proximal femoral focal deficiency. Therefore, she has worn a prosthet...