Megan Absten

The Background
At age 14 Megan Absten was involved in an all-terrain vehicle accident where her left arm and shoulder were 98% amputated after being pinned by the rollbar. She was rushed to the hospital where they decided to avoid the uncertain process of saving her arm and opted to amputate. Recovery was a rocky process but Absten found a gym and trainer, Laurie Saunders, who helped her reconnect with her body and realize her potential. Before the accident she participated in both high school wrestling and track and in time she returned to the sport. In her Junior year of high school Absten got connected to a Paralympic coach to help with a back injury. In 2013, she entered into the U.S. National Paralympics Track and Field meet in San Antonio where she earned a silver in both the 100 meter and 200 meter events. A week after the competition she received her gear and itinerary form the U.S. Olympic Committee inviting her onboard.

Away from the track
Absten enjoys staying active by getting outdoors and travelling when she’s not training. She loves talking about her experiences and struggles to uplift and encourage others at events she is invited too. 

In their own words
“If your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough.”  

“I wake up every day like this. I often forget I have one arm, even when I’m struggling with something, when it’s taking me forever to get a sweatshirt zipped up or buckle my little cousin in his car seat. But I’m the one who has to live in this body. If I’m confident in the way I look and what I can do with what I have, then that’s all that really matters.” 

“After I lost my arm, I was able to push my body and actually see what my body was capable of, more than I had ever done with two arms.” 

“One thing I wholeheartedly believe is that you don’t know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” 

Learn More:
Team USA Page 
IPC Page
The News Tribune: “Q&A With Megan Absten: UPS Student, Paralympics Medalist Shares How She Preserved”