An Australian Paralympic athlete explains why being an amputee is “one of the most wonderful things that has ever happened to me”

Australian Paralympian Sarah Walsh had every right to ask “why me” after having her right foot amputated as a child.

Born with the rare condition fibula hemimelia, meaning Walsh had no fibula bone but did have a foot, her parents made the life-changing decision by letting her live a life as an amputee.

Walsh, who will compete in the long jump at the Paris Paralympic Games later this year, is not bitter. Quite the opposite, in fact.

She believes her life truly changed for the better after the surgery and stated that being an amputee is “one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”

“My prosthetic (leg) and having my sword for athletics has always made me different and unique, but it has also given me the opportunity to go and do things that other people didn’t do,” she said. Wide World of Sports.

‘I wouldn’t change it for the world because it’s given me the opportunity to travel the world, represent Australia and meet amazing people… and I know I wouldn’t be doing that if I had two normal legs as such.

“So he’s probably my biggest and greatest asset.”

The 25-year-old started athletics when she was eight, after a school teacher in Sydney encouraged her to take part in area championships and compete in para-athletics.

Fast forward to 2024 and Walsh is ready to take part in her third Paralympic Games and has her sights set on a medal in France.

Walsh, who is also a motivational speaker, competes in the T64 long jump, which is designed for athletes who compete with a prosthesis due to a lower extremity deficiency and a leg length difference.

While his ‘competition leg’ is made entirely of carbon fiber, his everyday leg is a combination of carbon fiber and titanium.

And even if he doesn’t medal at the Stade de France in Paris, competing in the ultimate space for many athletes will be a big splash for Walsh.

“I really love training and jumping in the sandbox… I have dedicated almost my entire life to being the best I can be at this sport,” he added.

‘I didn’t know that one day out of school would change the course of my life. I fell in love with athletics and the rest is history.’