In 2005, after a lengthy triathlon career, at the age of 37, Schnarndorf began to experience the first symptoms of a mysterious degenerative disease that was later diagnosed as multiple system atrophy (MSA).

After a break from professional athletics, Schnarndorf returned to the sports world as a swimmer and is presently a member of the Brazilian Paralympic Swimming Team.

[1][2] Susana began her swimming career at age of 11 in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul,[3] under the coaching of Mauri Fonseca.

[7] She moved to Rio de Janeiro and married Brazilian triathlete Alexandre Ribeiro,[8][9] with whom she participated in several international triathlon competitions.

[13][14] Susana won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, representing her country of Brazil in the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay category.