Amy Purdy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Amy Purdy

Purdy in 2024
Personal information
Birth name	Amy Michelle Purdy
Born	(1979-11-07) November 7, 1979 (age 45) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Daniel Gale (m. 2015)
Medal record Women's para snowboarding Representing  United States Paralympic Games Silver 2018 Pyeongchang Snowboard cross Bronze 2014 Sochi Snowboard cross Bronze 2018 Pyeongchang Banked slalom New Zealand Winter Games Gold 2011 Cardrona Para-snowboard cross

Amy Michelle Purdy (born November 7, 1979) is an amazing American athlete and inspiring person. She is a para-snowboarder, which means she snowboards with a physical disability. Amy is also an actress, model, motivational speaker, fashion designer, and author.

She won a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Paralympics and a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Paralympics. Amy also helped start an organization called Adaptive Action Sports.

Amy's Early Life and Journey

Amy Purdy was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1979. When she was 19 years old, she became very sick. She caught a serious bacterial infection called meningitis. This infection badly affected her body.

Because of the illness, doctors had to remove both of her legs below the knee. She also lost both kidneys and hearing in one ear. Doctors thought she had only a 2% chance of surviving. Two years later, her father gave her one of his kidneys in a special operation. This helped her get much better.

Discovering Snowboarding

Just seven months after getting her new prosthetic legs, Amy started snowboarding. About a year after her legs were amputated, she competed in a snowboarding competition. She finished in third place at Mammoth Mountain.

After this, Amy received help from the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). This group helps athletes with disabilities. With their support, Amy was able to compete in many snowboarding events across the U.S.

Becoming an Advocate

In 2003, Amy became a spokesperson for the CAF. She moved to San Diego to be closer to their main office. In San Diego, she continued her work as a massage therapist. She also started working in modeling and acting.

In 2003, Amy appeared as a model in a music video for the famous singer Madonna. Later that year, she began working for Freedom Innovations. This company makes prosthetic feet. Amy worked as an "Amputee Advocate" for them.

Amy also co-founded her own non-profit organization. It is called Adaptive Action Sports. This group helps people with physical disabilities get involved in action sports. These sports include snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing. They also support art and music for people with disabilities.

Film and Recognition

In 2005, Amy Purdy acted in her first movie. It was called What's Bugging Seth. In 2014, ESPNW named her one of their "Impact 25" people. This list recognizes influential women in sports.

In 2016, Oprah included Amy in her "SuperSoul 100" list. This list features visionaries and influential leaders. Amy stopped competing in sports in March 2022.

Amy on Television

Amy Purdy has appeared on several TV shows. In 2012, she and her husband, Daniel Gale, were on The Amazing Race. They finished in 10th place out of 11 teams.

On February 5, 2014, Amy was featured in a special NBC show. It was called How to Raise an Olympian. The show shared the stories of seven U.S. Olympians. It included interviews with their families and coaches. Soon after, Amy won a bronze medal in Snowboard Cross at the 2014 Winter Paralympics.

In 2015, Amy was in a Super Bowl advertisement for Toyota Camry. The commercial showed her snowboarding and dancing. It also featured her adjusting her prosthetic legs. The voiceover used parts of Muhammad Ali's famous "How Great I Am" speech.

Amy's Book

On December 30, 2014, Amy Purdy released her own book. It is a memoir called On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs To Learning The Dance Of Life. A memoir is a book about a person's life experiences.

Dancing and Inspiration

Purdy dancing with a robotic arm at the 2016 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony

Amy Purdy was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2014. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough. Amy was the first person with a double amputation to ever be on the show. She showed everyone that anything is possible.

At the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Paralympics, Amy performed a special dance. Her partner was a KUKA robotic arm. It was an amazing and unique performance. In 2018, Amy returned to Dancing with the Stars for a trio dance. She danced with Tinashe and Brandon.

See also

In Spanish: Amy Purdy para niños