Page 80 - Cityview_Jan_Feb_2014

sports

Photography courtesy of Steven c. barber
Story by meghan mcDonald

Paralympic medalist and world champion runner

blake leepeR

was the only kid he knew in Kingsport, Tennessee,

who grew up with a disability.

he was also the only kid anyone else knew who was missing both

legs below the knee—and who was playing basketball at age 5. As a
kid, sports gave Leeper a way to show his community how to treat

him. Now, his prowess in track and field has put him on a world
stage with a broader mission.

“how I treat myself and how I perceive my life starts with my
family,” says Leeper. his birth was both a blessing and a shock

to his family—his disability had gone undiagnosed in the
womb. his parents were told then and there that he would

never walk, but they didn’t let that prognosis shape his
childhood. “They treat me no different than my brother,”

says Leeper.
So Leeper’s athletic resume almost started with tee
baseball and basket-

ball at age 4. his father had volunteered to coach the ball through high school—
team, but surgery transferred Leeper from prosthetic but track was one sport he nev-

legs to a wheelchair for six weeks, ending his sea-
er considered.
son before it began. Then basketball came into being the only kid with a disabil-

Leeper’s life. And, of course, Leeper tried to
ity was hard. but Leeper also recog-
mimic his big brother Kris in everything, nizes that it was hard for the people

including sports at the local boys and around him, who weren’t sure how to treat
girls Club. he also wanted to keep
him. Sports became a bridge between him and

up with his friends—on and
them. Since a very young age, his athletic perfor-
off the court, in and out mance and tenacity scored him respect and sent out a

of the field. he played
message to the community: don’t treat me any different.

78 cityviewmag.com maRcH aPRiL 2014