Loss of Legs Nearly Forced Young Hunter Woodhall to Give Up but Mother’s Words Saved His Future

Hunter Woodhall might be a popular name in modern track and field. But back when he was a child, Woodhall never imagined he would scale such heights of greatness. Born with a fused right ankle, the Georgia native did not have a properly developed leg. To make matters even worse, the sprinter also had fibular hemimelia. This is a rare condition that prevents the healthy growth of the fibula bones in the lower limbs. 

Thus, with no other options left, Woodhall had to get both of his legs amputated when he was just 11 months old. His parents took immense care of him and homeschooled Woodhall till the age of 5. Unfortunately, the moment he was admitted to a public school, the Olympian became a target for the bullies. Surprisingly, all these traumas that Woodhall experienced from his childhood did not seem to peg back his confidence. 

Hunter Woodhall drew inspiration from his mother’s words

Hunter Woodhall oozed confidence and self-belief and was always eager to learn new things. While both his brothers, Brendan and Spencer, went out to play, Woodhall too accompanied them to the field. A feat that much might consider impossible. The 25-year-old was told by the doctors in childhood that he would never be able to walk again. While this was one of the most saddening words Woodhall heard in his lifetime, one small push from his mother changed the way he looked at his physical limitations. 

In a recent post on Threads, the Paralympic gold medal winner recalled one of his childhood incidents. Trying to ride a bike, Woodhall broke down for not being able to do so. But as he was about to lose all hope, in stepped his mother, Barb Woodhall, with life-changing advice.

Woodhall recalled, “When I was trying to learn how to ride a bike as a kid with no legs, I would cry and say, “I can’t do it.'” My mom would always calmly tell me, “It’s not that you can’t do it; it’s just that you’ll have to find another way to.” Creativity is a superpower; you just gotta believe in yourself. You got this.” Surely, his mother’s words inspired him to the extent that made Hunter Woodhall reach the pinnacle of success.

Hunter Woodhall conquered his disability to become a Paralympic champion

Hunter Woodhall did end up finding that ‘other way’ his mother taught him. Opting for prosthetic limbs, Woodhall decided to pursue his dreams in professional track and field. While the path upwards was surely not easy, Hunter did manage to bear all the difficulties that came along. Now a 3-time Paralympian, the 25-year-old started his journey back in 2016 in Rio. Competing in the T44 200 and 400m individual races, Woodhall clinched the silver and bronze medals, respectively. 

However, from Tokyo, he changed his category to T62. While he got a couple of bronzes, Paris turned out to be his happy hunting ground. After losing his 100-meter run, the tensions were building in the stands as Tara Davis Woodhall looked on. But ultimately, everything ended just like a dream for the Georgia native. Displaying immense confidence, Woodhall sped past his opponents to clinch his maiden Paralympic gold in the 400m T62 event and added a bronze in the mixed 4x100m relay. Thus, drawing inspiration from his mother, Hunter Woodhall has now achieved a pedestal about which his mother would be proud.