How does one turn tragedy into triumph? Where does a person's mind go to find the courage to face a devastating accident that changes a life forever? For April Holmes, a four-time Paralympian gold and bronze medalist, digging deep inside her DNA to her competitive spirit was the only place to go!
April Holmes grew up as an ordinary, suburban kid in Somerdale, New Jersey, where her mother believed that keeping kids busy was the key to keeping them out of trouble. April was into everything: dancing, piano, performing in the Nutcracker, and recitals, which she will tell you was "not her jam." But when her uncle started an inner-city track team in Camden, New Jersey, April had found her tribe. "That's where I belonged," she said, "This is what competition looks like." April knew she had to find a way to be successful on the track so she wouldn't have to go back to dance. She had found her element and thrived in that competitive environment.
After earning a high school track and field scholarship to Norfolk State University, April finished college and stopped competing. She knew it was time to venture into the world and began working with a telecommunications company in Philadelphia. Realizing she needed something more, April started her master's degree, hoping to find more fulfillment in the workplace.
In January of 2001, April's life instantly changed while boarding a train in Philadelphia. The train began moving without warning, thrusting her under the platform of the railcar and she was trapped beneath the wheels of the train. April waited for paramedics to find a way to release her for seventeen minutes. During that time, she knew she had to "keep her mind busy so she could keep her heart beating." She used her love of music to sing and visualized herself playing with childhood friends. All of this in an effort to ease her thoughts about what was happening and after several failed attempts at releasing her, the train had to be moved, ultimately resulting in the loss of her left leg from the knee down.
While in the hospital, April spent the first hours contemplating everything she couldn't do. Devastated by the thought that she would never run or play basketball again, she couldn't see past this enormous loss. But when her surgeon brought her several magazines featuring competitive athletes with physical challenges, April's mindset began to change. Within a few hours, April had decided that the path back to her life would be competing against the best para-athletes in the world. Later, when her surgeon returned, she told him, "I have three goals: be the fastest amputee in the world, represent the United States as a Paralympian, and win a gold medal." And that's precisely what she did!
While transitioning back into running, April reminded herself she was competing against herself. "I don't do passive; I do aggressive," she said confidently. Knowing that what she needed to do was simply be better today than she was yesterday. April had been a competitor her whole life, and with a new challenge ahead of her, she relied on her faith and belief in God to carry her through.
A little over a year after losing her leg, April competed in the 2002 Disney Wide World of Sports Championship, where she broke the world record in the 100-meter race, beating her biggest competitor and checking off the first goal she had set.
April continued to dominate the track, making the International USA Team and breaking countless records. She attended her first Paralympic Games in 2004 in Athens, where she won the bronze medal for the long jump, reaching another goal. Then, in 2008, April followed with the Beijing Games, where she won the gold medal in the 100-meter event, finally reaching the pinnacle of racing success. April's paralympic dreams continued when she won the bronze in the 100-meter event in London in 2012, again showing the world that no obstacle is impossible.
As April stood on the podium in Beijing after earning her gold medal, she felt a powerful feeling that reinforced her spiritual faith in her journey. She also knew that hearing the National Anthem being played and representing people with disabilities from around the world resulted from her belief systems, dedication, and faith that she would be used for good.
While April no longer competes on the track, she has continued using her experience to help others cross the finish line. In 2002, she started the April Holmes Foundation, a non-profit organization providing scholarships and equipment to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Based on her work within the foundation, the International Paralympic Committee named her one of the Top 10 Women in Paralympic Sports. In 2015, she was awarded NCAA Inspirational Athlete of the Year and later became a U.S. Paralympic and Anti-Doping ambassador. She is currently the Board Chair for the U.S. Center for SafeSport, the author of The Winning Way, and a motivational speaker.
Her grit, perseverance, and unwavering drive have given hope and inspiration to those overcoming obstacles, showing them they can also find victory and become the champions of their dreams. Visit: AprilHolmes.com
The Paralympic and Olympic Games are a time for dreams to come true. One must explore the depths of one's inner strength and endure the rigorous preparation that comes with attaining the top of the podium. Take a moment to discover all the facets of the Olympic Games this summer and the stories of each fantastic athlete.
Be the fastest amputee in the world, represent the United States as a Paralympian, and win a GOLD!