It was a Sunday afternoon when Amanda, together with a family friend tried out a class, thinking this will be her first and last, at least until CrossFit CSE’s coach Meg Cannon asked what her goals are.
“I would like to try to walk again,” was Amanda’s answer.
Athlete’s ID:
Name: Amanda Turner
Country: USA
Box: CrossFit CSE
Age: 31
Coach: Meg Cannon and the rest of the CrossFit CSE team
Fav Quote: “We will either find a way or make one.” – Hannibal
Most memorable CF moment: When I first time walked across the box to Meg.
Burpees for saying I can’t
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by the damage to the motor control centres in the brain. Amanda’s legs, arms and core are tight and spasm, making it difficult for her to sit or walk on her own.
Related: Steph Hammerman – overcoming Cerebral Palsy with Crossfit
“I was warned early on to never say I can’t. Because that meant I’ll have to do burpees. So I haven’t said it.” Since starting with training, and after 13 years of solely relying on the wheelchair, Amanda can now walk with forearm crutches or with someone holding her hand.
Chasing new PRs
Her first thought about Crossfit was that she can’t do it. She also pretty much accepted that she’ll never walk again. At the beginning even just sitting on a rower was hard, but she kept on going and eventually, like everyone else who join our sport, started chasing PRs.
“I still think it’s funny at times to say I get to do Crossfit and watch this old body that wasn’t supposed to do this. I can say when I am training I don’t feel trapped in my body!”
Amanda didn’t just start to walk again, she also changed her attitude towards health and nutrition. Dropped 20 kg, ditched M&Ms and stopped saying “I can’t”. Together with her coach Meg they experimented with movements to found out and focus on what she could do.
WODing like everyone else
“My favourite exercise is the one I hated most at the beginning, rowing!” Her current goal is now to finish 5000-meter row in less than 30 minutes.
As a young girl she had to do hours of physical therapy which only reminded her of what she can’t do. There’s was no crowd to cheer her on, only countless PT sessions that made her realized she’s different.
“When I’m in the box I feel normal. Like everyone else. And I am WODing like everyone else.”
“Amanda taught me to appreciate and be thankful for the gift of health, and to always show others respect for the athlete, no matter what level they’re on,” says Meg. Together they are now getting ready for the upcoming Open and making plans for other competitions nearby. Amanda will compete eventually.
Amanda’s message
“I had all the excuses in the book as to why I couldn’t do this. I was just afraid of falling. If you focus on your personal goals, and if you don’t compare yourself to others, you can’t fail. If you keep at it the progress and success will come. Also baby steps are still progress.”
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