At the age of 15, a train accident severed Brooke Artesi’s right leg at the ankle as she was boarding a passenger train with some friends. “It was before they had doors that automatically open on the platform. It started moving and it just sucked me right under the train,” Artesi said. “It should have cut me right in half.” She became a transtibial amputee determined to lead a physically active lifestyle.
Regas Woods and Nick Stilwell – inspiring founders and athletes
Josh Kennison, Vice President of Never Say Never Foundation, Nick Stilwell, Regas Woods and young athlete
Founded by Regas Woods and Nick Stilwell , the Never Say Never Foundation is a non profit organization formed to help disabled youth overcome adversity with a positive attitude. Focusing on amputee athletes, their goal is to push the limits of adaptive sports and show the world that anything is possible!
Jason Lester – unstoppable athlete with a mission
Jason Lester running at night
At the age of 12, Jason Lester was hit by a car while riding his bike, resulting in 21 broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a paralyzed right arm. His dreams of being a top athlete seemed to be broken as well. As another strike against him, as he was lying in his hospital bed, his father, who was his sole guardian, died of a heart attack at the young age of 39.
Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team – inspiring heroes
Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team
The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST), represents some of our nation’s bravest and most determined heroes, soldiers and veterans. These extremely athletic men have sustained severe injuries resulting in amputation while serving in the military/war, and through extensive rehabilitation, they have become competitive athletes again.
Charlotte Cleverley Bisman – unstoppable spirit
baby Charlotte Cleverley Bisman
Charlotte Lucy Cleverley-Bisman was born in New Zealand in November of 2003, during the New Zealand epidemic of meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning. Charlotte contracted the disease in 2004 and is believed to be the smallest baby to have survived not only the severe infection but the subsequent quadruple amputations as well. She was nicknamed “Miraculous Baby Charlotte” by her fellow New Zealanders as a result of making headlines worldwide after recuperating from a series of life-threatening complications.