Inspirational paralympian Webster visited SSHS

Four-time paralympic medalist Lora Webster visited South Side High School on Jan. 19 as part of the adapted games unit in physical education.

Webster was a member of the United States sitting volleyball team that won the gold medal last summer in Rio de Janeiro, and was named the games’ best blocker with 19 blocks and 38 rebounds. She also won silver medals at the 2008 (Beijing) and 2012 (London) Paralympic Games and a bronze in Athens in 2004.

Webster, 30, discussed her life background and how she overcame an amputation at an early age. She then had the students play sitting volleyball, while providing tips and advice.

“It was an awesome experience for everyone,” said physical education teacher Liz Marshall.

As part of the unit, students also viewed a video of Webster competing in her matches.

The Arizona native and Point Lookout resident grew up an active child who played a variety of sports before being diagnosed with the bone cancer osteosarcoma in her left tibia when she was just 11 years old. She had surgery to remove the tumor — a procedure called rotationplasty, in which her lower leg was rotated 180 degrees and connected to the remnants of the femur.

With her foot fitting into a prosthetic leg backwards, allowing her ankle to act as a new “knee” joint, Webster ran high school track for a year, was on the diving team, and played volleyball all fours years, helping her team win the Arizona state title during her senior season in 2004. Later that year, she headed to Athens for her first Paralympics.

The 5-foot-11 middle blocker has not played standing volleyball in years, and said she is now focused on helping sitting volleyball flourish in the United States, as the 2004 Paralympics marked the first time the sport was offered for women.