This Double-Amputee Olympian’s Inspiring Message: Courage Is Within Us All
World-class snowboarder and Paralympic medalist Amy Purdy’s story has been inspiring the masses for decades now. From sharing the speaker stage with Oprah to sharing the dancing stage with Derek Hough, her journey is one to be admired. In a recent Facebook post, however, she reminded us that the courage she’s demonstrated throughout her career was in her even before both her legs were amputated.
Purdy tells Yahoo Beauty, “I found this old photo on my phone last night and did the post on a whim, but I didn’t know it would get so much traction. This goes to show that everyone is dealing with something, a struggle, and we can all relate on that level. As humans, we need to reach out for support.”
Her message — “No matter what your circumstances are, don’t ever give up on yourself,” — has generated nearly 16,000 likes and more than 500 comments from people who clearly identify with her struggle.
“Wow, you are just amazing! I am reading your book and am up to your sister’s wedding. You have proven that anything can be accomplished with hard work and determination. Keep on going!!!” said one commenter.
Purdy lost her legs and a kidney due to bacterial meningitis, a deadly blood infection, at the age of 19. She decided before having surgery she was not going to feel sorry for herself.
“When I was being wheeled in, I was scared to death,” she says. “But I figured out what do with what was left. There was no time to dwell. I set clear goals and those goals pulled me through.”
Just over a month after her surgery, Purdy was walking at her sister’s wedding. She went on to snowboard and won a bronze medal at the 2014 Paralympic Games, and, along with her husband, Daniel Gale, co-founded Adaptive Action Sports, the first nonprofit organization that creates action sports camps, events, and programs for youth, young adults and wounded veterans living with permanent physical disabilities — all dedicated to snowboarding and skateboarding.
A post shared by Amy Purdy (@amypurdygurl) on Apr 10, 2017 at 5:52pm PDT
“I feel that losing both my legs was a blessing, it was meant to happen to me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to touch so many lives in such a positive way,” says Purdy. “I worked really, really hard to get to where I am today. I could have easily just stayed in bed and given up.” Among the other job titles she has added to her résumé since her surgery are actress, model, professional motivational speaker, clothing designer, and author.
In another recent Instagram post, she shared that she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis, or muscle deterioration, in her arms last October.
As to how she remains so positive, despite everything, Purdy says, “I want to live a fulfilling life. I realized I am in control. Yes, there are things that I can’t change, but the things I can, I’m going to do everything in my power to work very hard through them and come out stronger on the other side.”
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