It’s been over six months since my last post and a whirlwind of emotions combined with fun have categorized this period of my life. So much has happen in my world as well as this amazing world around me that I don’t even know where to begin other than to say, “Here, here…to a new and exciting chapter!”
In an effort to tell the untold stories of girls and women in sport, I present the story of Alana Nichols—granddaughter, daughter, sister, and friend—a woman who has overcome physical odds and triumphed as not only a Gold medal-winning Paralympian in both the Summer and Winter Games—the lone American woman to do so—but also as a leader in the adaptive sport movement. I hope her story inspires you that anything is possible. That said, I dedicate this post to those who have inspired and influenced Alana along her journey and in particular her Grandma— Joan Vilven—and brother, D.J. Nichols (29), who died unexpectedly in June 2009.