I am a below the knee amputee due to a hit n run where the driver is still not found but thats not what I am here to talk about. To be perfectly honest,  the amputation of my right leg that took place on March 2017 has now become the best thing that has happened to me in my 36 years of life. I have never been in a better state of mind, of consciousness, of health and of drive. I am sober from all things and I am extremely close to my creator; God. I have finally accepted myself as an amputee, and that is by far the most difficult thing I have ever done.  I am not disabled even though science says so. 

I have lived in Hawaii for 18 years and this November I am moving to Colorado where I will train and race in competitions in Japan, Europe and Utah so to hopefully make the USA Snowboarding ParaOlympic Team and compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Bejing. The USA Coach, Kep Koeppe, sought me out after he saw my surfing competition where I made history for women adaptive surfing by competition in a all mens division and making 3rd place which therefor officially made me a professional adaptive surfer. A prophecy I said since the beging of my amputation and now it has come true. Im humbled to say the least!

My next dream is Now. It is to utilize this opportunity given to me as a "ParaOlympic Hopeful" and train like I have never trained before. I will be snowboarding with the Worlds most elite athletes and have the chance to show not only myself but the entire world that giving up is not the answer when life knocks you to the ground forcefully. 

I am humbly asking for any amount of financial help in order to fund this winter season under the supervision of the ParaOlympics and be able to purchase air and hotel accommodations when competing. I also need to pay to get licensed and classified so I am able to attend these races and earn point which determine whether or not I make Team USA and compete in the 2022 ParaOlympics in Bejing.

I have worked so hard to show not just myself, but so many others that are suffering in life, that YOUR LIFE is not over when your worst nightmare becomes your reality. God actually gives you two choices; to stay down or get back up. In fact, its just begun if you allow yourself the chance to succeed after you got defeated by this journey called Life.  A Champion is someone who has been defeated and stripped of their glory only to rise above everyones expectations and achieve their wildest dream in front of the World. 

For myself, from November to April will be my chance to be that Champion and  being "grateful" would be an understatement for how I feel for all those that want and already have donated to help me get to my destination. I simply want to inspire the World and make my family and community proud. Bainbridge Island & the Island of Oahu, HI have had my back and now its my time to represent both islands as I train like hell to make it to the 2022 Olympics. Nothing is guaranteed but my drive and focus IS, as well as my gratitude for all the words of support and prayer from everyone. 

Again thank you for believing in me and I am humbled by anything for a little bit goes a long way and its going towards changing the World not just for me, but for whats humanly possible when you refuse to loose.

God Bless,

Sarah K. Dean XO