INSPIRATIONS BLOG

More Paralympian Spirits to watch in Rio 2016

Date: August 29, 2016

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, brace, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG, paralympics, prosthetics, quadripalegic

Meet 3 more of our amazing, inspiring Paralympians – all heading to the Rio 2016 Paralympics!

JOE BERENYI – PARACYCLING

Paracyclist Joseph Berenyi

Joe Berenyi is a 47 year old track and road cyclist. He won gold, silver and bronze medals plus set a world record at the 2012 Paralympic Games held in London after only 3 years of national cycling experience.

In 1994 Joe lost his right arm and left kneecap in a construction accident and decided to put his bike away after several years of successful amateur cycling races. In 2007 he decided to join some of is neighbors for a ride and his love of cycling was reignited.

Paralympian Spirits – more to watch in Rio 2016

Date: August 15, 2016

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, Cerebral Palsy, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG, stroke

We love the spirit of the Rio 2016 Paralympians – persistent, determined, motivated, dedicated. Here are 3 of Team USA medal contenders to watch.

EVAN AUSTIN – Paralympic Swimmer – Familial Spastic Paraparesis

Born with familial spastic paraparesis, an inherited disease whose main feature is progressive stiffness and contraction (spasticity) in the lower limbs, as a result of damage to or dysfunction of the nerves. His mother has the same condition but whereas it did not impact her until her late ‘40’s, Evan’s progression began at age 3. The muscles in his legs and back did not grow. It hindered his walking but by age 11, he found that the pool was his haven. He developed exceptional upper-body strength as he learned to drag himself through the water.

Paralympic values – courage, determination, inspiration, equality

Date: August 9, 2016

Author: Brooke

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

2016 Rio Paralympic Games logo

The 2016 Paralympic Games will be held in Rio this year, from September 7^th through 18^th. Although the last games in 2014 (Winter Games in Sochi, Russia) were the first to receive over 50 hours of US television coverage, the International Paralympic Games themselves date back to the first competition in Rome in 1960.

Jessica Long – Paralympic Medalist Swimmer

Date: July 20, 2016

Author: Brooke

Categories: adaptive sports, amputees, fitness, INSPIRATIONS BLOG

Jessica Long

Paralympic swimming takes a lot of endurance, experience and strength so when a 12 year old girl brought home 3 gold medals from the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece, the world took notice of her. Jessica Long, now 24, has been capturing gold and breaking world records ever since.

Born in Russia, Jessica was born with fibular hemimelia; she didn’t have fibulas, ankles, heels and most of the other bones in her feet. She was given to an orphanage by her birth parents and at 13 months old, Beth and Steve Long from Maryland, adopted her. At 18 months old, her legs were amputated below the knees so she could be fitted for prosthetic legs and learn how to walk. She was up walking 2 weeks post surgery.

Regas Woods – Paralympian and NSNF Co-Founder

Date: July 7, 2016

Author: Brooke

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

Regas Woods – Track & Field Paralympian

Some of you might remember our Inspirations Blog Post in October of 2013, about Regas Woods and Nick Stilwell, co-founders of the Never Say Never Foundation, encouraging disabled youth to overcome adversity and, through adaptive sports, show that anything is possible!

Regas was born with a congenital leg anomaly which didn’t allow his tibia and fibula to develop. Both legs were amputated at the age of two. After the amputation, he was told he would never be able to run, drive a car or even work. His goal: prove them wrong! And he has! Regas “Legz” Woods holds the world record for fastest bilateral above the knee amputee. Last October, he broke the US record in the 200m.