Purdy Darn Amazing – Amy Purdy, an Inspiration to America
Amy Purdy at the Sochi Olympics
You are stronger than your challenges. You already have the tools to overcome any obstacles in your way. Not convinced? Ask Amy Purdy.
Ever since my daughter was little, “Dancing with the Stars” has been a guilty pleasure of ours. She loved the glamorous costumes and fantastic music. I loved the fantasy that a few weeks of lessons with Karina Smirnoff or Julianne Hough could turn me from Elmer Fudd into Fred Astaire. But this season features a woman who is redefining reality television. The other contestants are competing in an enjoyable dance contest. Amy Purdy is in a class all her own. She is a wonderful dancer. But her personal story and accomplishments on the dance floor are unlike anything American television has seen before.
What is Holding You Back?
Amy Purdy lost both of her legs below the knees at the age of 19 to bacterial meningitis.
Amy Purdy
Each week, she dances on artificial legs. And she is not getting any “sympathy points” from the judges. She is a spectacularly graceful dancer whose scores in the “competition” reflect her brilliant performances on the dance floor. But each Monday the audience watches with tears in their eyes as she manages to do the seemingly impossible. She dances on artificial legs, with no feeling in her artificial feet. And each week Amy Purdy dazzles the judges with her fluidity, grace,
Amy Purdy dancing the jive with Derek Hough
strength, and musicality. The focus is not her artificial legs but her genuine dancing ability.
Amy Purdy is a reminder that with enough strength and determination we can accomplish goals that seem impossible. Watch this beautiful clip of her describing how she couldn’t even walk on her artificial legs after the surgery. Then one day her father asked her to dance with him. She could literally dance before she could walk. Her partner/choreographer, Derek Hough, wanted to re-create that moment in a dance. In order to accomplish it, Amy Purdy had to dance on artificial feet so pointed she could not walk in them. 
Click here to see this story and then watch her dance in choreography designed to re-create the first moment she was able to move on her artificial legs. The other dancers that night were probably concerned about their scores from the judges. Do you think that the scores that Amy Purdy received matter even a little bit? So often we depend on outside people for validation. But our validation must come from within. Like it comes for Amy Purdy.
Amy Purdy depends on her own willpower, the skill of her brilliant choreographer/partner, and her willingness to practice to the point of exhaustion
Derek Hough and Amy Purdy rehearsing.
to overcome the obstacles she faces. It is the exact same personal, internal motivation and strength of character that led her to represent the USA at the Paralympic games in snowboarding.
Yes, snowboarding. On artificial legs and feet. At the Olympic level. That is Amy Purdy.
As a motivational speaker, I challenge my audiences to realize they can become more than they think they can. All of us have potential we’ve never come close to tapping. I’m sure that Amy Purdy would be the first to say that she has many goals she’d like to accomplish. I can only imagine what they might be! The next time you are feeling a little bit down and need a smile, watch this. In less than two minutes you will be smiling.
You are stronger than your challenges and you can find joy in every aspect of life. Just ask Amy Purdy.
Stories like these are only inspirational. I have overcome my things in my life, but the bigger question is always how did she get there. If you lost both of your legs and had NO ONE to care enough to give you new ones what does it matter what you are capable of you will never have an opportunity to accomplish what you are CAPABLE of.
Meria,
One of the things that Amy Purdy is ALWAYS eager to mention is the incredible support she has had from her family.When she developed bacterial meningitis not only did she lose her legs, but her kidney as well. Her father donated one of his kidneys to save her life! She says, “First, my father gave me life. Then, he saved my life. How do you thank someone for that?” Her entire family has been a rock of support for her and her long time boyfriend was her trainer and cofound’s a charity devoted to helping other athletes with disabilities. Clearly, Amy Purdy has amazing drive and determination of her own. But you’re correct in pointing out that she did not get there on her own!
Thanks for you acknowledgment that support and love are often nessecary components to success in overwhelming circumstance. Secondly I want to apologize for the typo/ auto correct ‘these stories are only inspirational’ was meant to say’these stories are ALWAYS inspirational.
Sincerely,
Meria