Leenie Quinn, Adaptive Athlete, Nurse & Rugger, Born With One Hand
Leenie Quinn was born with a congenital amputation of her right hand. This forced her to learn how to adapt to all of life's daily activities, but it certainly hasn't held her back from accomplishing any of her goals. She has been told countless times that she couldn't do something, but she uses this negativity as fuel to prove these people wrong. Specifically, she talks about her experience in trying to become a nurse and running a marathon in the interview.
Below are some questions I ask Leenie in the interview:
Do you remember the moment that you realized that you didn't have two hands?
What sports did you play growing up?
What were the the biggest obstacles growing up with one hand?
School
Sports
Socially
Emotionally
How did you work around these obstacles?
How do you feel having one hand has limited you?
How has having one hand helped you and given you an advantage?
What questions do people ask about your hand that annoy you the most?
What sports did you play in high school?
Sports
Position
Injuries that you sustained
Share any memorable stories
What sports did you play in college?
Why did you decide to go into nursing?
How did you get into CrossFit?
What tips do you have for adapting to new activities or the same activities after an injury?
What have been some of your lowest points?
What have been some of your highest points?
What are you most proud of?
If you could go back and tell your Elementary School, High School and College self anything, what would you say for each?
What what comes to mind when you hear the word:
Disability?
Handicap?
Inspiration?
Adaptive?
When you are long gone 200 years from now, if you could write a letter to a kid who was born with one hand or had a different disability, what would you say?
I am in the Washington, DC area this weekend volunteering as a Judge for the Working Wounded Games at CrossFit Lorton. This is a CrossFit style competition that levels the playing field for severely wounded veterans and permanently injured civilians. Leenie was set to compete in this competition, but her Rugby team made the playoffs and wouldn't have enough players if she didn't play. There's always next year!
To learn more about adaptive athletics check out Crossroads Adaptive Athletic Alliance.
Leenie taking down her opponent in a Rugby match.
