Suellen

In 2021, Sue faced a life-altering decision. Sue faced multiple health challenges after long COVID triggered a dormant autoimmune disorder, resulting in a severe wound in her foot. This medical crisis was fraught with other complications, including a GI infection. After 11 months of trying to save her foot, she made the difficult decision to amputate her lower left leg but it was a decision that was rooted in hope and a determination to regain her life.

Sue approached the amputation like any of the many surgeries she had faced before—head-on. “I pushed through the pain, focused on physical therapy, and worked tirelessly to master my prosthetic,” she says. But she quickly realized that overcoming this challenge wasn’t about returning to the life she had before; it was about grieving what was lost and finding the courage to embrace a new way forward. As a recently divorced woman navigating life on her own, Sue allowed herself to lean on others, building a network of support that became a lifeline.

Through her prosthetic team, Powell Prosthetics, and physical therapists at Sheltering Arms Rehab and The Gait Center, Sue found both expertise and encouragement. Adaptive sports organizations like Sportable, Therapeutic Adventures and Beyond Boundaries became more than just opportunities for athletic pursuits—they became her family. And with her loyal therapy dog, Miller, by her side, Sue rediscovered her confidence and purpose.

Sue set bold goals for herself, using athletics as a way to challenge her limits and find healing. Just six months after receiving her prosthetic, she ran her first 10K. By her first year, she had completed a half marathon, pickleball competitions, and rowing races. In her second year, she tackled even greater feats: a 500-mile bike ride completed in just one week and a full marathon, 26.2 miles, despite weakened lungs and other lingering effects of long COVID. Along the way, she found that training for these physical goals helped her process personal hardships, building not only her body but also her mindset. “I handle heartache and struggles with grace and peace now,” she reflects. “These challenges have given me confidence I lost so many years ago.”

Sue’s achievements extend far beyond sports. She’s a certified amputee mentor and coach, working with others to help them find strength and purpose in their own journeys. She’s been featured on podcasts, spoken at events, and even coached high school volleyball and golf. This year, she’s pursuing her goal of becoming a fitness instructor at the YMCA, creating inclusive classes where disabled and able-bodied athletes can train together. She’s also collaborating with a writer on a book about her life and exploring how to start a podcast to share her story and inspire others navigating similar challenges.

Through it all, Sue has found her purpose: motivating others by example and reminding them that life’s difficulties don’t define us. “Keep moving forward!” she encourages. “You can’t change the past, but you can control your actions and live in the present. Treat each day as the gift that it is. Choose joy!”

Sue’s story is one of resilience, grit, and boundless determination. From running marathons to mentoring others, she has turned her hardships into inspiration, proving that no challenge is too great when faced with courage and a commitment to keep moving forward.

In 2021, Sue faced a life-altering decision. Sue faced multiple health challenges after long COVID triggered a dormant autoimmune disorder, resulting in a severe wound in her foot. This medical crisis was fraught with other complications, including a GI infection. After 11 months of trying to save her foot, she made the difficult decision to amputate her lower left leg but it was a decision that was rooted in hope and a determination to regain her life.

Sue approached the amputation like any of the many surgeries she had faced before—head-on. “I pushed through the pain, focused on physical therapy, and worked tirelessly to master my prosthetic,” she says. But she quickly realized that overcoming this challenge wasn’t about returning to the life she had before; it was about grieving what was lost and finding the courage to embrace a new way forward. As a recently divorced woman navigating life on her own, Sue allowed herself to lean on others, building a network of support that became a lifeline.

Through her prosthetic team, Powell Prosthetics, and physical therapists at Sheltering Arms Rehab and The Gait Center, Sue found both expertise and encouragement. Adaptive sports organizations like Sportable, Therapeutic Adventures and Beyond Boundaries became more than just opportunities for athletic pursuits—they became her family. And with her loyal therapy dog, Miller, by her side, Sue rediscovered her confidence and purpose.

Sue set bold goals for herself, using athletics as a way to challenge her limits and find healing. Just six months after receiving her prosthetic, she ran her first 10K. By her first year, she had completed a half marathon, pickleball competitions, and rowing races. In her second year, she tackled even greater feats: a 500-mile bike ride completed in just one week and a full marathon, 26.2 miles, despite weakened lungs and other lingering effects of long COVID. Along the way, she found that training for these physical goals helped her process personal hardships, building not only her body but also her mindset. “I handle heartache and struggles with grace and peace now,” she reflects. “These challenges have given me confidence I lost so many years ago.”

Sue’s achievements extend far beyond sports. She’s a certified amputee mentor and coach, working with others to help them find strength and purpose in their own journeys. She’s been featured on podcasts, spoken at events, and even coached high school volleyball and golf. This year, she’s pursuing her goal of becoming a fitness instructor at the YMCA, creating inclusive classes where disabled and able-bodied athletes can train together. She’s also collaborating with a writer on a book about her life and exploring how to start a podcast to share her story and inspire others navigating similar challenges.

Through it all, Sue has found her purpose: motivating others by example and reminding them that life’s difficulties don’t define us. “Keep moving forward!” she encourages. “You can’t change the past, but you can control your actions and live in the present. Treat each day as the gift that it is. Choose joy!”

Sue’s story is one of resilience, grit, and boundless determination. From running marathons to mentoring others, she has turned her hardships into inspiration, proving that no challenge is too great when faced with courage and a commitment to keep moving forward.