Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 322. Lacey Henderson, Paralympic Long Jumper

322. Lacey Henderson, Paralympic Long Jumper

Published: Jan. 14, 2021, 12:30 a.m.

\u201cI went on this journey of constantly proving to people that I could do everything they could do. Because I knew I could!\u201d

When Lacey Henderson was just nine years old, she was diagnosed with soft-tissue cancer in her leg. After trying a series of experimental treatments \u2014 none of which ultimately worked \u2014 Lacey underwent above-the-knee amputation surgery, just before her tenth birthday. Today, Lacey is a Paralympic long jumper competing at the highest level, and she'll be the first to tell you that she is so much more than her disability. (She also, on this episode, talks about that word, "disability," and reflects on why it's not quite her favorite word.) Lacey is happy, joyful, and tough, and this conversation covers everything from ableism, discovering disabled sport, and having tough conversations on the street to cheerleading and American Girl dolls.

SPONSOR:\xa0AfterShokz\xa0\u2014 Visit\xa0ontherun.aftershokz.com\xa0for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • On being diagnosed with cancer at nine years old (7:30)
  • Lacey reflects on the day she had her leg amputated (10:30)
  • On life after amputation (17:40)
  • Lacey\u2019s experience with \u201cdisability denial\u201d (25:30)
  • How Lacey found running after amputation (34:45)
  • On overcoming \u201cverbal constipation\u201d (51:00)
  • Where Lacey is at with running right now (56:45)

What we mention on this episode:

AfterShokz "Be Open" conversation

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