Family of Little Rock Paralympian gets help traveling to Paris games from Flavor Flav

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The family of a Little Rock Paralympian hoping to make it to Paris for the games got a little boost from a big name.

Just imagine watching your child put in hours, days and years of hard work to make it to the Olympics but when that dream comes true, you are hit with the financial burden of travel to the games. That’s the story for the family of Little Rock Paralympic swimmer Olivia Chambers.

Olivia’s mother, Alison started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with travel expenses so dad and Olivia’s two siblings can attend.

They received donations from family and friends, but that was just the start.

“I had all these notifications on my phone it said GoFundMe, GoFundMe,” Alison said. “I was like ‘What happened?’”

Rapper and hype man Flavor Flav had shared Olivia’s GoFundMe on his X page, boosting donations tremendously.

“The fact that he reposted me and donated is crazy and I’m super thankful,” Olivia said.

“I was a teen in the late 80s, so Flavor Flav was my thing,” Alison said.

Chambers was diagnosed with a rare eye disorder in 2019 when she was 16 years old. Alison said doctors still haven’t been able to determine what’s causing Olivia’s eyesight to deteriorate.

“The world isn’t necessarily like made for me,” Olivia said explaining her challenges. “There’s always an extra step for me to go in order to get around or just to read or order from a menu.”

Five years later, she is headed to Paris to compete in five events.

“The 100 fly, 100 breast, 50 free, 4 free and 2 IM,” the Paralympian said.

After making her international debut at the World Paraswimming Championships last August, Olivia won medals in all six of her events, coming home with two silver medals and four bronze medals.

“I just love the water. I love getting up and racing. I love challenging myself,” she said.

Life is a blur for her but once her goggles are on and she’s in the pool, everything is clear for Olivia.

“I don’t know what I would do without it. I honestly think it helped me through when I lost my sight,” the Mount St. Mary’s graduate said.

“There are a lot of people that would have given up, but she doesn’t quit,” Alison said.

Visually impaired for five years, she never lost sight of her love for the sport and now she’s headed to Paris.

“I think it’s honestly going to be one of the craziest things in the world,” Olivia said.

“I’m so proud that my kid gets to represent the United States of America,” Alison said.

Alison said after being blessed with donations following the exposure from Flavor Flav, they are about three-quarters of the way from their goal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.