High School Track Star Excels Despite Double Amputation
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A high school track star in Delaware County is achieving his dreams one goal at a time, despite living with double lower-limb loss. Jack Cunningham, a Springfield High School junior, is making a name for himself and inspiring other athletes along the way.
Jack was the only one to survive out of a set of triplets. He was born prematurely and had a rare condition that caused him to be missing the fibula bone in both of his legs. As a result, he underwent a double amputation at the age of one.
In an interview with Fox 29, Cunningham’s parents, Tim and Krista, shared that, back then, they didn’t know what quality of life he’d have. They only wanted him to be able to walk.
And he did walk with his prosthetic legs at 15 months.
Not long after that, Jack started running with his dad in the driveway. Tim shared that Jack proved them wrong every single time.
Jack was a very active child. He was involved in various sports, such as soccer, baseball, and competitive biking and swimming. In an interview with Fox 29, Jack mentioned that he never felt like he couldn’t do something when he was younger, which gave him the confidence to participate in various activities like everyone else.
His passion for running began to flourish when he was in the third grade. Jack mentioned that receiving his running blades was a life-changing moment for him. At this point, he began setting annual goals, aiming to be the fastest in his grade each year.
Jack kept this goal-setting routine until he and his Springfield High School track team could compete in the Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the US.
Barry Foster, the head coach, told Fox 29 that Jack is one of the fastest kids on the team. And Jack has shown that anything can be accomplished.
Jack is looking forward to continuing to compete at Springfield as a high school senior. He aims to continue his competitive running in college as part of an able-bodied team and has his sights set on participating in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, either in track or swimming.
The possibilities are endless.
