Amy Purdy, the 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist in snowboarding who recently won the runner-up position on season 18 of “Dancing with the Stars,” was the featured speaker for the PossAbilities Road to Rio Sports Luncheon on Wednesday, October 8, in the Wong Kerlee International Conference Center. During the luncheon Purdy told the enthusiastic audience that she doesn’t let disability — she is a double amputee — interfere with living a life of fulfillment and creativity
Striding confidently to center stage, Purdy shared her remarkable story of recovery from bacterial meningitis. After coming down with what she dismissed as flu-like symptoms at the age of 19, Purdy lapsed into septic shock, which ultimately resulted in the loss of both legs, both kidneys, and her spleen. But as she recovered in bed for a month, Purdy made up her mind to create a brand new future for herself.
By focusing on opportunities rather than limitations, she realized that she suddenly had new options in life. She could, for instance, wear short prosthetic legs when spending time with her vertically challenged boyfriend and taller legs when she went out in public. Purdy concluded her presentation with a suggestion on how to face difficult circumstances. Instead of looking at challenges as bad or negative, we should condition ourselves to see them as blessings, as opportunities to build a positive and creative future for ourselves. Purdy has certainly done that for herself.
Members of the audience — many of whom also have disabilities as well — exploded in appreciative applause in response to her inspirational message.