WHITE PLAINS, NY – Jan. 9, 2013 – Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Jennifer Johnson capped off 2012 and her well-decorated table tennis career with an induction to the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame on Dec. 20, 2012. The induction comes after decades of success in the table tennis arena including:
- two gold medals from the 1987 Vienna International;
- two gold medals and a silver medal during the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea;
- six gold medals total from PanAm Championships in 1990, 1995 and 1999;
- three gold medals at the 1995 Austrian International; and
- a gold medal and a bronze team medal at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta.
In addition, Johnson was named Wheelchair Sports USA Athlete of the year in 1993 and was inducted in the Wheelchair Sports USA Hall of Famein 2007.
“I appreciate all the support, friendship, practices, competition and coaching that I received over the years and everyone who has had a hand in my growth as a player and a person will always be a part of my success,” Johnson said upon the announcement of her hall of fame induction.
Johnson, who is a Port Chester resident, did much of her training at Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains where she was a member of the Burke Wheelchair Sports Team for many years. Along with her sports accolades, she is a past recipient of the prestigious Burke Award, the highest honor bestowed by Burke and its board of the directors. It is given to those who have demonstrated strength in overcoming a disability; whose efforts have contributed to helping people with disability gain independence; those who have made significant contributions to science that led to a better understanding of physical disability; or for those who have made contributions to the development of rehabilitation.
Johnson continues to be active at Burke, lending her expertise for the table tennis segment of the annual Burke Wheelchair Games and participating in various Burke events throughout the year. Outside of Burke, Johnson helps run the American Wheelchair Table Tennis Association, having been president since 1988.
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital is a private, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation hospital. Founded in 1915, it is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated solely to rehabilitation medicine. Burke offers both inpatient and outpatient programs for those who have experienced a disabling illness, traumatic injury or joint replacement surgery. Burke is both an acute rehabilitation hospital and medical research center. Burke’s world renowned doctors and therapists provide state-of-the-art treatment, while its research scientists at the Burke Medical Research Institute explore the frontiers of neurological and rehabilitation medicine. All share the Burke mission to ensure that every patient makes the fullest possible recovery from illness or injury regardless of their ability to pay.
