War veteran, paratriathlon champion motivates team
A new triathlon in Colorado Springs got a big dose of inspiration Wednesday.
Iraqi war veteran and three-time paratriathlon world champion Melissa Stockwell spoke at the Southeast and Armed Services YMCA. She was the first woman to ever lose a limb in combat, but she doesn’t see that as a challenge.
“I have named what’s left of my leg little leg, and little leg has a birthday,” she said. “We celebrate what i have instead of moruning the loss of the leg. It’s just a celebration of life, of putting things into perspective.”
She encouraged the new triathlon at the YMCA to stay positive and give things they didn’t know they could do a chance.
“We’re finding that we have everything, but the only limit is our mind and our own hearts and our own ourselves,” Sheila Marietta said.
She and others left inspired.
“It’ll give me a thought in my head as I’m training, that anything can be possible,” Matthew Meucat said.
The YMCA’s new triathlon team is accepting new members of all ages and skill level. You can find out more information here.
