'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hunter Woodhall expressed his thoughts about his disability and how he managed to turn around his life from getting bullied at school to becoming a Paralympic gold medalist. The American para sprinter was born with a rare birth defect and had both of his legs amputated before his first birthday.
Woodhall shared the inspiring message through a video on his Instagram handle on Tuesday, and recounted the incidents of his early life and struggles with disability. The 25-year-old emphasized that it wasn't the double amputation that changed his life, but rather what happened after that.
"I lost both of my legs and I was only 11 months old but it's what happened after that that actually changed my life. I was born with a super rare birth defect that only happens every few thousand babies and I was lucky enough to be one of them," Hunter Woodhall said
Trending
The 400m runner revealed that doctors first tried to straighten out his legs through force but that didn't work and they eventually had to be amputated below his knees. While he faced bullying in school afterward, Woodhall noted that it was his drive to succeed that changed his life and eventually led him to track and field.
"At 11 months old I had both of my feet amputated but that's not what changed my life because in life everyone is given hardships they all look different but we all have to deal with them and it's not about what hardships you deal with but how you react to it,"
"Growing up, I dealt with a lot of bullying. I knew I was different and kids let me know. I think I could have easily just felt sorry for myself and gave up on everything knowing that I was playing with a bad hand but I wanted more for myself and I was raising an incredible family with parents who never let me give up and brothers who push me to be my best and chase my dreams and through that I found sports," Hunter Woodhall added
The 25-year-old further added that while he wasn't 'good at all' in track and field at the start, he 'fell in love with getting better' each day, which eventually led him to a maiden Paralympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. Woodhall noted that he wouldn't change a single thing in his life and advised people facing difficulties to keep fighting for their dreams.
"Tara Davis-Woodhall takes my disability lighter than anyone else" - Hunter Woodhall
Speaking during the aforementioned video, Hunter Woodall shared that track and field has allowed him to meet some of the most incredible people in the world including his wife Tara Davis-Woodhall. The 25-year-old also shed light on the American long jumper's jolly nature, revealing that she takes his disability lighter than else.
"The sport has given me everything it's taking all over the world and it's allowed me to meet some of the most incredible people ever including my wife who infamously takes my disability lighter than anyone else that I know," Hunter Woodhall said
The couple met at a track meet in 2017 and instantly fell in love with Tara asking him for a hug in their first faceoff. They were in a long-distance relationship for several years before tying the knot in 2022, a year after getting engaged.
