14-Year-Old Below-Knee Prosthesis User Defies Odds, Dominates in Three Sports
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“You only get one life, and I want to play sports with mine,” said 14-year-old Alissa Perkins, a ninth grader at Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas. “I love sports.”
In May 2024, Perkins was honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Las Vegas Sun’s Sun Standout Awards, an annual program recognizing outstanding high school athletes, teams, and games from the previous season. Desert Oasis administrators nominated Perkins for the award due to her remarkable resilience on and off the sports field.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, Perkins shared that participating in sports offers her a temporary escape from reality. When she’s overwhelmed with school and other personal commitments, she finds solace in sports. Through sports, Perkins also gets to unwind and bond with her teammates, considering them as an extension of her own family.
Against all odds
Perkins has been defying the odds since infancy. At nine months old, she underwent a left leg amputation below the knee due to being born without her left fibula and with a short and bent left tibia. Yet, she took her first steps after her first birthday.
Perkins has continued to face challenges head-on, undergoing numerous surgeries to support her knee and align her leg as she grows.
In July 2023, she underwent her latest surgery. The very next month, she joined Desert Oasis’ volleyball team and was voted the Most Valuable Player by her teammates, despite it being her first time playing the sport. Trying new activities and the excitement of competition have always been integral parts of her life.
As an athlete, Perkins has consistently demonstrated her competitive spirit and refused to use her prosthetic leg as an excuse.
Despite her determination, there have been instances where her left knee has popped out of place due to its smaller size, requiring her to take short breaks from competition.
She simply wants to play
The reason Perkins excels in her chosen sports is because she simply wants to play.
She is considered the top hitter for the Desert Oasis varsity football team and played a vital role in the team’s journey to the state tournament last May.
Additionally, she has participated in the Desert Oasis basketball program, where she was honored with the Lady Diamondback Award on the junior varsity team for displaying exceptional work ethic and commitment to the team. Furthermore, she recently completed her stint with the varsity softball team, where she showcased her skills as a pitcher and second baseman.
On top of her athletic achievements, she also sings in the school choir with her brother, Nicholas.
One thing to note is it’s uncommon for a first-year student to secure a spot on a high school varsity team, especially one that made it to the state tournament. And in today’s age of specializing in one sport, being a three-sport athlete is a rarity.
However, Perkins’ athletic abilities are not limited to Desert Oasis. She holds multiple national paralympic records in archery, discus, javelin, long jump, and shot put. She has her sights set on the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
The support that made Alissa who she is today
Perkins has accomplished so much in sports, thanks to the incredible support systems around her.
Over the years, she has been provided with 24 prostheses, some of which are specialized running legs for sports, to accommodate her changing body. The Perkins family is grateful to Shriners Children’s Southern California for the exceptional care they have received, from planning a medical strategy after her amputation surgery after birth to providing ongoing support.
But the most pivotal advice Perkins’ mother, Tara, has received from the healthcare team in the first few months is this: When Alissa falls, don’t help her get up.
From the beginning, Tara and her husband decided not to coddle their daughter but instead to support her, which helped Alissa develop a growth mindset.
In an interview with the Sun, Tara mentioned that playing sports makes Alissa feel like she can succeed in anything, just like anyone else. This makes her constantly strive to improve herself.
First-year head coach Vanessa Alvarado shared in the same interview her first meeting with Perkins. Alvarado noticed Perkins’ prosthetic leg and asked the athlete if there was anything the coaches could do to help her compete. Perkins told Alvarado that she would figure it out. While Perkins may do some things differently, at the end of the day, she gets it done.
For example, while most players slide feet first into bases, Perkins prefers to go in headfirst. While others only rely on a glove and bat, Perkins must ensure her prosthetic is securely attached. Despite these challenges, once the game begins, she is ready to compete.
The bottom line
Perkins has more opportunities to play the sports she loves while nurturing relationships with her teammates and other athletes. She doesn’t let her circumstances dictate how she should live.
Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and unwavering self-belief. Her achievements and positive attitude serve as reminders that with passion and dedication, anyone can overcome life’s challenges.
