There are 50 million Americans with physical disabilities. According to the Inclusive Fitness Coalition, despite their large presence, people with physical disabilities often face discrimination from the general public when it comes to being provided access to fitness facilities.
The physically disabled population has to deal with the stereotype that it is somehow dangerous for the disabled to participate in sports.
But being in a wheelchair or having a prosthesis doesn’t make it dangerous to participate in physical fitness: the disabled can participate and excel in sports.
Still the typical person underestimates the importance of regular exercise for those with both physical and mental challenges. Even though doctors recommend regular exercise for the physically disabled, just 25% of the disabled population gets enough exercise.
Despite the stereotypes, female amputee Sarah Reinertsen is helping to change how the public views fitness for the disabled.
In 2005, Sarah Reinertsen shattered stereotypes, becoming the first female amputee Ironman. She swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles to complete the Hawaiian Ironman competition in 15 hours, 5 minutes, and 12 seconds. And she made it look easy.
Reinertsen’s 2005 Ironman win wasn’t her first attempt at the competition. She’d begun training for the competition two years earlier, working out diligently for 20 hours per week. But she missed qualifying for the 2006 competition by just 15 minutes. The upset didn’t stop her from trying again.
Reinertsen has never let anything from stop her from achieving her athletic goals. Born with a growth disorder that eventually resulted in the loss of her leg, she began running as a child. At age 13 she broke the world record for a female above-the-knee amputee in the 100-meter dash.
Reinertsen’s accomplishments don’t end there. Her impressive resume also includes:
- Setting world records for a female amputee in the 200M and 400 M dash
- Running seven marathons
- Holding the world record in the half marathon and marathon for a female above-knee amputee
- Becoming the youngest member of the 1992 U.S. Paralympic Team
- Winning a gold medal in the 2007 Physically Challenged Olympic Distance World Championship
In 2006, Reinertsen became a very visible advocate for people with disabilities on the reality TV show “The Amazing Race.” She was the first contestant on the show to have a physical disability. She and her partner finished seventh, but she showed that she could remain competitive even with a prosthetic leg.
Reinertsen is currently a motivational speaker, speaking mainly to kids and other disabled athletes about overcoming physical challenges.