adaptive sports

UPDATE: Brian Reynolds – Runner, Hiker, Fundraiser – Bilateral Amputee

Date: May 9, 2015

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG

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Last August we blogged about Brian Reynolds, a bilateral amputee since the age of 4, due to meningococcemia. He grew up with a drive to constantly exceed his last accomplishment – an avid endurance hiker, mountain climber and runner and strong charity fundraiser. (read that post here)

“I feel like I am flying when I am out on the roads or trails, every time I pull on my running legs is a reminder of what I never thought I could do. It is and it exhilarating and it provides a challenge every time, not only is it a physical sport it is a mental one. You have to be able to push through physical barriers and mental to achieve your best and I really like this dynamic.”

Matt Stutzman – Inspirational Archer

Date: April 16, 2015

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG

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Matt Stutzman was born without arms and given up for adoption by his overwhelmed birth parents when he was 4 months old. Less than a year later, he was adopted by Leon and Jean Stutzman. And his life of “try anything as long as you can do it under your own steam” began.

Jean Stutzman took him to the Shriner’s hospital in St. Louis for his first prosthetic arms and his can-do spirit rose up to the occasion. He was using them in two days, much earlier than the 7 days which the doctors predicted. And the precocious toddler was scooting around the wooden floors of the farmhouse in no time. By 18 months, he was walking and feeding himself.

Scout Bassett – empowering athlete, spokesperson and mentor

Date: March 5, 2015

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG, Uncategorized

Scout Bassett - now and then
At the age of 1, Scout was abandoned at an government orphanage in Nanjing China. She had been badly burned in a chemical fire and as a result, had to have her right leg amputated up to mid thigh. The prosthetic she was given was a rudimentary one, made from wood, masking tape and leather straps. She spent seven years mopping floors, tending children and washing dishes. “There was illegal child labor, physical abuse and starvation. It was really brutal. Then a miracle happened,” remembers Scout. In retrospect, she now believes the dark conditions were not the result of maliciousness but rather the Chinese culture of the time and lack of resources.

Turning point

Amplitude Magazine – an inspirational resource

Date: January 15, 2015

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG, resources, Uncategorized

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What is inspiration?

Merriam-Webster defines inspiration as “the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.”

Those with limb loss, and their families and friends have an ever-growing network of resources and support there to encourage and educate. We’ve listed some of them on our Resource page and from time to time we will highlight them as inspirations.

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“Anything that will help amputees enjoy all that life has to offer”

Athletes with Disabilities Network – an inspiring organization

Date: November 11, 2014

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, INSPIRATIONS BLOG

Established in 2009, Athletes with Disabilities Network (ADN) was formed by combining Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame (est 1999) and Extremity Events Network (est 2007). ADN’s mission is to promote a better quality of life by creating opportunities for people with physical disabilities.

“There’s No Replacement for the Competitive Spirit”

The Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame has recognized nearly 100 individuals who share a passion for life and a dedication to inspire others through their words, actions and giving back to the community. The Hall of Fame represents a unique opportunity for athletes with disabilities to be enshrined for their athletic accomplishments, as well as community leaders for their work with persons with disabilities. Honorees are not only a “Who’s Who” in their sports, but are role models for the next generation of young people with disabilities, and their awe-inspiring stories bring much-needed awareness to the general public. In 2014, the top male and female Athlete of the Year awards went to:
Lex Gillette, the current world record holder in the long jump, a three-time Paralympic medalist, the reigning world champion in the long jump, a 15-time national champion and the only totally blind athlete in the world to eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump.