Teenage amputee aims for 2018 Winter Paralympics
Afsar lost a leg in 2005 earthquake, but that has not held her back
Insha Afsar was 17 when she lost a leg in 2005, when her school collapsed during the 7.6 magnitude Kashmir earthquake. She first travelled to the US six months after the quake, to be fitted with a prosthetic leg, after TIME magazine photographed her and one of the editors offered to fly her to America. She has competed in several NASTAR races and participated in the Hartford Ski Spectacular in 2013 and US Paralympic Alpine National Championships in 2015. back,” said Afsar. She has found a way to make her dreams come true in United States, empowered by her parents in Pakistan and supportive host parents, Ted and Rebecca Bent in the United States.
The young Afsar first travelled to the United States six months after the quake, to be fitted with a prosthetic leg, after TIME magazine photographed her and one of the editors offered to fly her to America.
During a medical visit, Ted and Rebecca offered to accommodate her and send her to school.
Afsar was fitted with prosthesis but prefers her new lightweight crutches that allow her more mobility.
Since then she has competed in several NASTAR races and participated in the Hartford Ski Spectacular in 2013 and US Paralympic Alpine National Championships in 2015.
This inspiring Pakistani girl now studies at Berkshire Academy in Massachusetts and is an athlete sponsored by the New England Disabled Sports.
Afsar skis with Berkshire’s ski team in the winter.
In future, she also plans to mentor other athletes who have the same big dreams.
“Don’t be afraid of falling,” she says. “Because you can always get back up.”