Disability:
Margaret grew up in Washington, DC. She was always athletic and played just about every sport, from shotput to discus, track and basketball... everything. Margaret coached three teams while in school and was offered a basketball scholarship from the University of Maryland.
That was until the summer of 1976, when she was on her motorcycle traveling home from work and was hit by a car. It was a 'hit and run' accident and no one was there to see or report the accident. Margaret lay there for several hours before help arrived.
Margaret lost her leg. And her basketball scholarship. And her job.
Ability:
Margaret eventually found work and then went back to school. She studied HVAC and then nursing, got her masters and is now only a few credits away from her Ph.D. Margaret also opened a clinic to care for people without insurance and continues her focus on helping people and giving back to the community.
"Don't push us in the corner... we want to be mainstream!" says Margaret, talking about the benefits of being able to participate in group exercise classes. As a nurse working with wounded veterans, she knows how important it is for amputees to get cardio exercise and build core strength. A boxer and an all-around athlete, Margaret is training for a triathlon.
