From a Life-altering Accident to Paralympic Triumph, Femita Ayanbeku’s Journey Exemplifies Strength and Tenacity
Life is a journey marked by both highs and lows, each bringing its own set of challenges. These trials teach us how to navigate difficult times and master our emotions when they threaten to overwhelm us. At just 11 years old, Femita Ayanbeku, a respectable female athlete, faced a profound hardship and had to gain an early understanding of life’s adversities.
Femita Ayanbeku
Standing at 5’7″ and originating from Boston, MA, Ayanbeku is a celebrated Paralympic athlete whose story has inspired countless individuals. A two-time Paralympian, she captured a bronze medal at the 2019 Paralympic Games, marking a significant milestone in her notable career. Ayanbeku is also the president and founder of a non-profit organization Limb-it-less Creations Inc., which is dedicated to amplifying the awareness and support of the amputee community.
The Journey
Despite all of her achievements and success, Ayanbeku’s journey was not easy. At eleven years old Ayanbeku was in a terrible car accident that altered her life forever. She explains in an interview with the Breakfast Club, “I was thrown out of the car and stopped breathing. A helicopter flew me to the Mass General Hospital and there they had to amputate my leg.” Ayanbeku goes into deeper detail about how the accident affected her. She mentions that many people reminded her that she was lucky to be alive and Ayanbeku leaned on those words.
The Power of Perspective
Ayanbeku, perhaps aided by her youth, swiftly adjusted to her new life, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Reflecting on that time, she shared, “I felt like my family was so sad that I didn’t want to be sad too. I tried to be happy for them.” This mindset opened her up to various opportunities as she navigated this new chapter of her life. Running soon became a pivotal part of her journey. Her prosthetist introduced her to a running clinic, where she was fitted with a custom running leg. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ayanbeku recalled the transformative moment: “From the day I put on my running leg, I was in love. Just being able to use it for one day, I knew it was a blessing.”
Ayanbeku’s journey is a powerful reminder not to take things for granted—a lesson that many of us overlook in our daily lives. Her story encourages us to cherish our abilities and opportunities, and to face life’s challenges with the same resilience and gratitude she embodies.
