Lessons of a Perfect Storm | Nicole Roundy | TEDxPasadenaWomen

At just eight years old, Nicole Roundy was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. But in 2006, after amputating her right leg above-the-knee, Nicole became the first above-knee amputee to compete in adaptive snowboarding; taking home a silver medal from the United States National Championships. Through this inspiring talk, viewers are challenged to embrace their individuality and to overcome their challenges, choosing to live a life with passion and purpose, regardless of the obstacle.
As a child, Nicole was ambitious, energetic and outgoing. She spent much of her childhood kicking soccer balls and exploring the outdoors with her two older brothers. Then, at 8 years old, she was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Later that year, she lost her right leg above the knee, and underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatment.
Inspired by the 2002 Winter Olympics, Nicole stepped onto a ski slope for the first time. The beauty, adrenaline and excitement of three-track skiing captivated her, but something was missing. With progress in that sport deemed “impossible” due to a lack of prosthetic knee technology, she began to develop a passion for snowboarding instead.
In 2006, Nicole became the first above-knee amputee to compete in adaptive snowboarding. Her accomplishments led to global demand for prosthetic knee technology and played a fundamental role in the introduction of snowboarding to the Paralympic roster. Nicole represented the United States
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx