Stories

Amy was burned over 25% of her body from high pressure, 750º water. The burns were so bad on her left foot and lower leg it had to be amputated. She suffered through burn debridement, skin grafts, months of physical therapy and massive, debilitating pain. But when both she and her doctors wanted her to get an amputation, her insurance refused. After years of fighting, she prevailed and got her useless leg removed and learned to walk in a prosthesis. She wanted to run and five years after her burn, with support from WSICF she got the running blade she so wanted and is training hard to compete again.

Victoria lost her left leg above the ankle from a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. She was a dedicated beach runner but had not been able to run since the accident. So WSICF, in collaboration with her Florida prosthetist, got her a high performance running leg.

Jackie lost her right leg mid calf from a propeller accident while she was swimming behind the boat. She is a sports enthusiast especially snowboarding. So WSICF got her a specially designed snowboarding leg that she used immediately.

McKinley is an identical twin but only she got cerebral palsy at birth. Their family loves to ski but could not all do it together because someone had to be with McKinley. They asked for help getting a bi-ski which WSICF provided. Now the whole family skis together with dad Jim driving the bi-ski while Kinley squeals in delight.

Hugh lost both legs below the knee at 17 during an ice climbing accident where he got lost on the wilderness side of Mt Washington. He and a friend tried to survive in a snow cave for four days. Now he is a runner, and world-class climber, and the world’s leading researcher in advanced bionics.

Kelly was born with only one leg and got teased about it at school. She fought back by excelling beyond her peers at basketball, swimming, biking, and most of all, running. She competes in triathlons and ultra marathons. She also is a doctor and a fitness coach.

Maureen lost the use of her legs from a fall off of a seawall. She was depressed and a friend suggested she try sailing to get her self-confidence back. She did and loved it and started to excel at it. That led to her being the first American to win Paralympic gold in sailing.