What does the world look like after you’ve been hit with cancer, the loss of a child, and the literal disintegration of your spine all within the span of a few months?

My name is Maeve Mulcahy and I live in Cork, Ireland. I am an open water swimmer.

I began long distance swimming by accident. In 2012, I was aqua running at the local pool as a recovery from a 50 mile Ultramarathon.

I have had an intense fear of water my whole life. This includes being in water, near water, on water. In August 2018 I decided to take the steps to learn how to swim.