Amy Purdy

Amy Purdy: True Hero (girlgonesporty.com )

"Hard times don't create heroes. It is during the hard times when the hero within us is revealed." -Bob Riley. My hero is Amy Purdy. Amy is a brave, heroic woman whose amazing story persuaded me to write this essay about her. This woman is an inspiration for all people, especially women all around the world who are fighting through difficult times in their lives. She teaches people to keep fighting and to keep working through the obstacles in life. She encourages people to never give up and to live their lives to the fullest. Through her courageous acts, Amy inspires many people around the world. Amy Purdy is an athlete, model, actress, dancer, and most of all, A TRUE HERO.

At age 19, Amy Purdy was sped to the hospital with flu-like symptoms. Instead, after many blood transfers, she was diagnosed with a form of meningitis that is a vaccine preventable bacterial infection. The doctors told her that she probably only had a 2% chance of living. At that moment, Amy knew her life would change drastically. They put her under life support, and she's was put into a coma. Because of the lack of circulation, Amy lost both of her legs and was given prosthetics. Right before her 21st birthday, her dad gave her a very special gift, one of his kidneys. Amy Purdy went through a lot of medical problems but she still fought through it. Later, she decided to challenge herself to get on with her life and to try some new things.

Amy Purdy has accomplished some pretty amazing things. Age 19 is when she was diagnosed and given a 2% chance of living. Now, Amy Purdy is a 35 year old successful woman! Within 7 months of getting out of the hospital and getting her prosthetic legs, she was up on the slopes snowboarding again. Later, she participated in the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia and placed 3rd, winning a bronze medal. After her experience with losing her legs, Amy Purdy was inspired to co-found a foundation called Adaptive Action Sport. This foundation creates opportunities for people with physical disabilities to get involved in sports. It's hard to believe that a woman with prosthetic legs could accomplish somethings that even people WITH legs could do! Since then, Amy has been on Oprah, Ellen, Dancing with the Stars, and in many music videos and photo shoots with celebrities. When she made an appearance on these shows, she inspired all the viewers who were watching by her incredible story. I personally feel that it is pretty remarkable to be doing these amazing things after what she has gone through.

Why is she MY hero? Well, I am very inspired by brave people who go through hard times, fight through it, and come out as amazing individuals who make a change in someone's life. Amy was just an ordinary girl, and then one day, POOF, her life was turned upside-down. This really amazes me. Amy Purdy especially stood out to me when I did my research. Something about her just grabbed my eye. I think that it would be EXTREMELY hard to have to adapt to a new way of life. Yet, Amy did it and made it look as easy as pie! It's very fascinating to see how she has lived her life with 2 prosthetic legs. A true hero is a normal person with traits that make others look up to them as a role model. I am happy to say that that is what Amy does for me. She is MY role model.

Amy Purdy is an amazing, brave, and courageous woman that I will always look up to. She went through a ton of obstacles in her life, and she was brave enough to fight through it and accomplish many more things afterwards. Also, she gave opportunities to many individuals who are going through what SHE went through by starting a fantastic foundation. A hero doesn't need super-powers. A hero doesn't need super-speed or super-strength. A hero is a person to makes others feel proud and also a TRUE INSPIRATION to people. A hero is a person who gives someone a hope and dream to pursue. THAT is why Amy Purdy is MY hero.