Fueled by Support, Amputees Take Their Shot at the Game
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Amputee athletes across the U.S. are thriving through adaptive sports, specialized prosthetics, and strong community support. Events like amputee soccer clinics, led by national team athletes, demonstrate how proper resources break barriers and foster confidence. Stories from Paralympians and youth athletes reveal both the transformative power of sports and the urgent need for wider prosthetic access, funding, and awareness to ensure equal opportunities for all.
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In some communities in the U.S., amputees are notably absent from public spaces. Marci Krown, founder of Krown Family Films and producer and director of the documentary The Power of Sports for Amputees, has observed this phenomenon. She wondered why amputees are seldom seen grocery shopping or traveling.
Krown speculated that it could be due to transportation barriers or a reluctance to be in public, as the psychological impact of losing a limb can be profound. Alternatively, she considered that amputees might be present but simply go unnoticed. She explored answers to these questions in the documentary.
Importance of Access to Specialized Prosthetics
But in other U.S. communities, amputees are not merely surviving; they are excelling in sports, supported by a growing network of advocates and resources.
This was evident in Boise, Idaho, when the American Amputee Soccer Association (AASA), in partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF-Idaho), hosted the region’s first amputee soccer clinic. This event provided local athletes with limb differences the opportunity to learn ball control, passing, and teamwork in a supportive, empowering setting. Led by national-team stars Jenny Gray (captain of the U.S. Women’s Amputee Soccer Team) and Nico Calabria (captain of the U.S. Men’s National Amputee Soccer Team), as well as rising star and fellow national team member Jovan Booker, the clinic provided excellent coaching.
The soccer clinic also conveyed a powerful message: disability does not hinder success if opportunities are available. With proper support, adaptive athletes not only participate, they also excel.
Krown, an athlete herself, noted that while standard prosthetics work for basic walking, they are inadequate for more active pursuits, like running, hiking, or sports. In an interview with Boise State Public Radio, she mentioned that competing in a race with a typical walking prosthetic is impossible.
Limited access to specialized athletic prosthetics hinders true mobility and can be viewed as a form of movement discrimination. Still, thanks to advances in sports prosthetics, athletes now achieve feats once thought impossible, although many still lack access to them.
Spreading Awareness Through Stories
Krown’s documentary, The Power of Sports for Amputees, highlights these issues. It premiered at the Move United National Conference on May 7 at the National Ability Center. The film features three powerful stories—from Paralympian Beatriz Hatz, high school athlete Carson Fox, and peer mentor James Dixon—showing how sport can rebuild confidence and foster community, while also exposing gaps in insurance that leave many amputees without the necessary gear.
Through these stories and the landmark soccer clinic, it’s evident how crucial support systems are. And without continued funding, expanded prosthetic coverage, and greater awareness of adaptive sports programs, many will remain on the sidelines.
The Bottom Line
Still, progress is happening gradually. Each sprint, soccer drill, and shared story online challenges outdated stereotypes.
The bottom line is this: to help amputee athletes realize their potential, we need to provide them with the necessary tools, support, and platforms. With these in place, they won’t just take their shot—they’ll score.
Related Reading:
Health Insurers Cut Back on Prosthesis Coverage Over Medical Doubts
NJ Bill Proposes Insurance Coverage for Athletes’ Artificial Limbs
Finding Strength and Psychological Well-Being After Amputation
