Two Amputee Coalition campers attends the Paralympics in China

In September, two of our campers received the opportunity of a lifetime. They were selected to take part in the 2008 Paralympic Academy. This year the academy was held in conjunction with the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. Roderick Sewell and Alexandra Capellini got to fly around the world, watch some of the world’s most elite athletes compete and climb the Great Wall of China.

Alexandra has been involved with the Amputee Coalition for several years now. Her favorite sports are swimming, skiing, tennis and track.

 “These sports allow me to have fun in the water, on the slopes and on the track field,” Alexandra explains. “They build my confidence through being around other kids with disabilities and also around ‘regular’ people.”

Alexandra outside of the Paralympic Tennis complex.

Alexandra applied to the Paralympic Academy to get the opportunity to see the actual Paralympics and watch the Paralympians compete.

“It was a truly mind-boggling experience!” exclaims Alexandra. “Traveling to China was an incredible experience. When I found out I had won the trip, I started screaming and jumping up and down with my mom!”

The experience gave Alexandra the chance to meet other youth with a passion for sports and competition and to meet Paralympians. Plus, she got to interact with a completely different culture in China.

“The Paralympians truly inspire me to never give up on my dreams and goals, no matter what your situation is physically,” says Alexandra. While watching a swimming competition, Alexandra saw what “true passion and determination are.”

“It was incredible,” says Alexandra, “to see one of the Mexican swimmers compete with only one leg and no arms.”

While in China, Alexandra watched wheelchair basketball games, wheelchair tennis tournaments, swimming events, track cycling events and track and field events. She was also able to visit and climb the Great Wall. “Roderick and I pushed each other to keep going further up the wall,” Alexandra says.

                                                Alexandra inside the Birds Nest for a track event.

One of the most memorable experiences for Alexandra was the opening ceremonies in Beijing’s national stadium, the Bird’s Nest. “It was amazing to be able to sit in the Bird’s Nest and watch all the athletes from every country circle around the inner platform,” she says.

The opening ceremonies also highlighted performances by amputees from China. “These ceremonies opened up a whole new world of opportunity for me,” says Alexandra.

Of the challenges she faces as an amputee, Alexandra says, “I try to not let anything get in my way of participating in normal activities.”

Sometimes it is more difficult for Alexandra to walk longer distances and to keep up with her friends when walking. “I do have my moments when I cry, because I so miss my leg,” she says.

Alexandra lost her leg to cancer in 2003. She does not let that stop her, though. Her motto is, “Live life without limitations.”

Alexandra never limits herself because of her leg. “It’s very important to believe that you can do anything,” she explains. “If you have that in mind, you can be truly content with yourself.”

Participating in sports has helped Alexandra in many ways. It helps her to be more confident in front of people. “I have more confidence in myself by participating in sports now than when I first lost my leg,” she says.

Sports play an important part in Alexandra’s daily life and future goals. “Sports have taught me that anything is possible, and if you set a goal and work toward it, it can happen,” she says.

Alexandra looks forward to future opportunities to compete in sports and one day possibly to be in the Paralympics.

Alexandra always enjoys the opportunities she gets to be around other amputees at both sporting events and camp. Encouraging new amputees is a way she can give back. She would tell other amputees to never limit themselves.

 “Even though you may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed in front of people, it is important to keep a positive outlook on life and to stay optimistic,” says Alexandra.

Alexandra has never let her amputation stop her from trying a sport or activity. “Even though some things may be harder for us, we should never back down, but give everything we want to do a try,” she says.

She also encourages young amputees to explore the vast variety of opportunities for sports and recreation in the world. “If we set our minds to it,” says Alexandra, “we can do anything.”

Alexandra watching a basketball event at the Paralympics.