— Written by Milena Sobie —

I was born with myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida. For the first five years of my life, I lived in an orphanage in Gyumri, Armenia, where I underwent three poorly executed surgeries due to limited resources. In 2010, I was adopted and brought to the U.S., where I received better medical care. Despite my surgeries, I walk with a limp and have no feeling or movement in my left leg from the knee down. 

Growing up in the orphanage, I demonstrated sportsmanship by helping other children with disabilities, such as blind kids and those in wheelchairs. This sense of responsibility and care continued after my adoption. In the U.S., I underwent more medical procedures and eventually adapted to my limp, joining my school’s cheer team in second grade. Although I struggled to keep up due to my leg, I practiced diligently to fit in with the other girls. 

High school cheerleading proved more challenging due to the physical demands of stunting. Despite making the team from freshman to junior year, a surgery during sophomore year left me with no feeling in my right leg, forcing me to quit cheer. This led me to another path: becoming my school’s first seated athlete in track. I competed in the 100, 400, and 800 meters in a wheelchair along with seated throwing events, making history and qualifying for the Ohio state meet in all 4 years of high school. This led me to a national title in the seated shot put. 

Track and field taught me independence and determination. With no coaches familiar with wheelchair sports at my school, I created my own training schedules and reached out for external help. In my junior year, I joined Adaptive Sports of Ohio, participating in wheelchair basketball and sled hockey. Initially hesitant, I soon realized these sports were a perfect fit for me. Playing with other athletes with similar disabilities, I found a sense of belonging and teamwork that I hadn’t experienced before. 

These adaptive sports significantly impacted both my athletic and academic journeys. I am set to join the University of Arizona to continue wheelchair track and field and major in Sports Management. My goal is to help make adaptive sports more accessible to all. 

My journey demonstrates that sportsmanship and determination can transcend physical limitations. Despite the challenges posed by my disability, I have consistently sought ways to contribute, compete, and lead. Adaptive sports have not only given me a platform to excel athletically but also a path to advocate for others with disabilities. Through my experiences, I have learned the importance of resilience and the profound impact of inclusive sports, shaping my aspiration to foster greater accessibility and opportunities in the world of adaptive sports.