Amy Purdy

Amy Michelle Purdy (born November 7, 1979) is an American actress, model, para-snowboarder, motivational speaker, fashion designer and author. Purdy is a 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist, 2018 Paralympics silver medalist, and co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports.

Life and career Purdy was born in Las Vegas in 1979. When she was 19 years old, she contracted Neisseria meningitidis, a form of bacterial meningitis. The disease affected Purdy's circulatory system when the infection led to septic shock; both of her legs had to be amputated below the knee, she lost both kidneys along with hearing in her left ear, and her spleen had to be removed. Two years later, she received a kidney transplant from her father. a chapter of Disabled Sports USA for individuals with physical disabilities who want to get involved in action sports (snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing) or art and music.

In 2005, Purdy made her film debut in What's Bugging Seth, a movie by Eli Steele.

Purdy was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25 in 2014, and one of Oprah's SuperSoul 100 visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.

Purdy retired from competitive sports in March 2022.

Television appearances In 2012, Purdy and her now husband Daniel Gale participated on the 21st season of The Amazing Race. After nearly winning the first leg of the race, they were the second team eliminated and finished in 10th place out of 11 teams.

On February 5, 2014, Purdy was in a one-hour special on NBC television titled How to Raise an Olympian. The program, hosted by Meredith Vieira, chronicled the journeys of seven U.S. Olympians and included interviews with parents and coaches along with home video and photos from each athlete's childhood. Purdy went on to win the bronze medal in Snowboard Cross in the 2014 Winter Paralympics.

In 2015, Purdy was featured in a Super Bowl advertisement for the Toyota Camry. The advert features Purdy snowboarding, dancing, and adjusting her prosthetic legs with a voiceover of Muhammad Ali's "How Great I Am" speech.

Book On December 30, 2014, Purdy released a memoir entitled On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs To Learning The Dance Of Life, published by HarperCollins.

Dancing

Purdy was a contestant on season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. Paired with five-time champion Derek Hough, Purdy was the first double amputee contestant to ever appear on the show.

At the 2016 Summer Paralympics' opening ceremony, Purdy made an appearance performing a dance routine with what was promoted as a "surprise partner": a KUKA robotic arm.

In 2018, Purdy was back on Dancing with the Stars Season 27 dancing with Tinashe & Brandon in a trio dance.