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Anna Amend: Our Little engine that can!
Beat this: Anna Amend, nine years old girl, is a competitive swimmer . So what, huh? Well, Anna Amend, known now as the “swim girl“, has only one arm. And one of her legs does not have a knee joint. She was born with that deformity, in former USSR. Deb and Rob Amend from Colerian Township adoped her, and brought her to USA. The doctors predicted that she will never walk. She beat their predictions - with the help of a five-inch lift on her shoe, and a truck load of optimistic determination.
Anna’s parents brought her a little golden retriever/poodle mix named Hydro, a service dog, sometime back. The expectation was that he will help Anna in doing her chores, and that she will take care of him, with her customary grit and determination.
Now, Anna is swimming, with one arm and one good leg, and she is inspiring all those who watch her swim. Kudos, little girl!
At just 9-years-old Anna Amend is one of the stars of her swim team. The feat is extra incredible considering she has just one arm and one leg is much longer than the other.
Doctors once told Anna she would never walk, but today she not only walks, she dives and swims competitively in freestyle, backstroke and even butterfly events.
Swim coach Kim Peters says she set out to teach Anna, but Anna's boundless courage and determination teaches her and her teammates. Peters says of her unique athlete, "She is an inspiration. If they know Anna can do it, they know they can do it. She works hard so they work hard." She continues, "It just shows me anybody can do anything."
Anna's parents Rob and Deborah adopted her from a Ukrainian orphanage when she was just 3-years-old.
At home, she roughhouses with her brothers and sisters, takes care of her dog, Hydro, and she's learning to play the trumpet.
However, when she's in the water she really shines.
Anna starts out well, but with one arm she has to work twice as hard as the other swimmers.
Anna's parents and friends cheer her on as she pounds through the water, battling against the clock.
Incredibly, she makes it in a new personal best time! Anna certainly doesn't know the meaning of the word "can't."
Anna Amend is special child, determined to win against all the odds and with a gift of inspiration for everyone.
Source and video:
http://www.topicspin.com/anna-amend-the-swim-girl/
http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyID=2450
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