ACA Conference

Thanks to my father, I was able to attend the Amputee Coalition of America annual conference in Irvine, CA. It was absolutely amazing! I think I came home with an even bigger head than I already have. It's only because I realized that the way I walk is actually really exception. I honestly, didn't see many other AKs (Above Knee amputee) that walked as well as me. It was the confirmation that I needed that all of my hard work has paid off. I even had a paralympic running coach compliment me on my walking. She told me that if I were wearing pants then she wouldn't even think I'm an amputee. it goes to show that you can do anything you set your mind to. 

This is Scott Bell and I. I don't know the woman on the left, but Scott did. I met him while I was sitting by the fire pit drinking a beer. He's a BK and very athletic. I have to tell him when I'm going snowboarding this winter so he can join me.

I also met Amy Purdy and Travis Ricks. They're pretty awesome athletes. Definitely an inspiration. I highly recommend checking out Amy's site: http://www.amypurdy.com/   After talking to them, my goals and dreams seem much more attainable, and I know that there are other athletes that want to see me succeed and will help me reach my goals. It at least felt pretty good to hear Travis say that I had a lot of potential after seeing me do a little side hop. It may not seem like much, but apparently that's pretty impressive for only having a leg for a year. Overall, this trip was really encouraging. I mean, I knew I was doing well, but I was just being me. I was just pushing myself as hard as I always do to do the things I've always done. Apparently "just being me" is pretty exceptional.

Oh the highlight of the trip of going surfing! We were at the beach for like 7 hours. It was amazing. My instructors were the coolest guys: Van Curaza and Dave Paskowitz. They both seemed to be a big deal in the surfing world. They actually got me up on the board too. Dave was so happy when he got me up. I think he was even more excited than I was. I just wish I had brought my XT9 with me to Cali!! When I was packing I had thought about bringing it, but I didn't think I'd have an opportunity to use it. Grr! If I'd brought it, I could've rock climbed with Travis also.  Next time!

I miss my new friends.