Our Athletes
The people who
make it real.
Every athlete has a unique, personal relationship with sport. We believe that experience is the most genuine and impactful curriculum. Ripple Affect exists to make sure everyone has access to that curriculum.
Athlete Roster
Meet the movement.
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Swimming
Paralympic
Yaseen El‑Demerdash
Swimming
Yaseen started swimming competitively at the age of 7. In high school he started to discover his true appreciation for the sport and all it had to offer. By the time he graduated high school, he was a national team rostered athlete, American record holder, and an 8x All American. Following his graduation, he went on to represent the United States at the 2023 Para Pan American Games. Yaseen came home with 4 medals , including gold in the 100 backstroke. The following year he was named to his first Paralympic team, and represented the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Inspired by all the lessons and amazing connections he made during his time training and competing for Paris, he founded The Ripple Affect Foundation in 2025.
Swimming
Paralympic
Jack O'Neil
Swimming
Jack had his leg amputated at 9 years old but found freedom in the water. That freedom led him to become a Team USA Paralympian and three time Para Pan-American Games silver medalist. He became the first athlete with a disability to qualify for state swim meets under able-bodied standards in Illinois and Colorado, and went on to represent the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Now retired from sport, Jack works in sports broadcasting and as a professional speaker.