Debbie Klecan is a multi-talented person - masters swimmer, photographer, illustrator, art teacher and expert dog trainer. Her best attribute, however, is how she has met extreme physical challenges brought on by a horrific car accident 18 years ago with a smile and more determination to live life to the fullest.
Debbie, whose disability forced her to retire as a cancer researcher at the University of New Mexico (UNM), barely made it into the 2019 National Senior Games presented by Humana. Her knee flared up the week before her qualifying swim at the 2018 New Mexico Senior Olympics. “It was heart breaking to train so hard and have that happen. It could have hit me a week after, but nooo, Murphy’s Law went into effect,” she says with a laugh. She hobbled on crutches to get to the pool and managed to complete the 50-yard freestyle on the last day to qualify for The Games in June.
Chama has been the subject for several themed photo series Debbie has posted on social media - so many, in fact, that Chama now has her own Instagram account. In 2018, Debbie and her High Point Sports and Wellness’ masters swim club teammates were so excited about National Senior Games coming to Albuquerque that she produced a series of sport-related pooch poses that she posted on the New Mexico Senior Olympics Facebook page. Some made their way to the National Senior Games page, and Chama now has her own Chamadogmodel Instagram page. The whimsical series was a big hit with many likes, shares, and viral successes. Chama soon became recognized at several of the state games venues and has become an unofficial mascot for her swim team.