Allison Compton is a Paralympic Medalist and Motivational Speaker. She has turned what one would consider a disability into a platform to share her story and give hope to others that anything is possible with determination and believing in yourself.

Compton was born with a underdeveloped femur, causing her right leg to be half the size of her left. Her parents, heartbroken, had to make the decision to amputate her leg from the hip down, or have the doctors perform a very difficult procedure that would leave Allison with the greater use and control of her leg. After watching Compton use her little foot as a baby to stabilize herself, they knew they couldn’t amputate. The procedure was a medical success.

In high school, one of Allison’s coaches told her about a standing volleyball team for disabled athletes. She learned that the sport was currently only offered for men. She earned her spot among the men exhibiting skill and strength and proving her value on their roster. The team competed both internationally and nationally.

While she was able to compete in the United States, Compton ran into opposition among the global community. Leading up to the 2000 Summer Paralympics, her team jumped through hoops to get Allison cemented as a recognized athlete on the USA Paralympic Standing Volleyball team. They found out two days before going to the Paralympics in Sydney that she would not be allowed to play.

Four years of hard work by her and others in her corner resulted in the first Paralympic games to include a Women’s Sitting Volleyball contention. Not only that, but she also led her team to the Bronze Medal match that year in Athens. They won their medal on a final point by Allison.

After her stellar Paralympic run, Allison retired in 2004 and committed her life to building her career, starting a family of her own and to raising awareness for people with disabilities. She now travels the country to tell her story and counsels parents of children with disabilities.

Paralympics Athletes, Volleyball, Women & Gender Issues, Inspirational, Sports, Sports Motivation,