Amputated but resilient Insha wants to represent Pakistan in 2018 Paralympics

17-year-old skier lives and trains in the US courtesy host parents, Ted and Rebecca

ISLAMABAD: A young Pakistani girl has proven that disaster and disability can be overcome by passion, optimism and resilience.

Insha Afsar, 17, lost a leg in the October 8, 2005 earthquake when her school collapsed during the 7.6 magnitude quake that killed around 80,000 people and displaced millions. But disability has not held her back as she is determined to conquer the icy mountains on one leg, the Gulf News reported.

Afsar has risen to become a champion one-legged skier from Pakistan. She hopes to represent the country at the upcoming 2018 Paralympics in South Korea perhaps as Pakistan's first ski-racer.

"I'm a person that likes going fast, doing everything fast. I just like speed," Afsar said sharing her dream of skiing at international level.

Hailing from the northern region of Pakistan, she has found a way to make her dreams come true in the US, empowered by her parents in Pakistan and supportive host parents, Ted and Rebecca Bent, in the USA.

The young Afsar first travelled to the US six months after the quake to be fitted with a prosthetic leg after TIME magazine photographed her and one of the editors offered to fly her to America. During a medical visit, Ted and Rebecca offered to accommodate her and send her to school.

Afsar was fitted with prosthesis but prefers her new lightweight crutches that allow her more mobility. Since then she has competed in several NASTAR races and participated in the Hartford Ski Spectacular in 2013 and US Paralympic Alpine National Championships in 2015.

This inspiring Pakistani girl now studies at Berkshire Academy in Massachusetts and is an athlete sponsored by the New England Disabled Sports. Afsar skis with Berkshire's ski team in the winter. During her vacations, she spends time at training camps all over the US.

"Insha brings a light-hearted yet determined approach to our training," says John Borwick, Berkshire's head ski coach. "Her mere efforts and attitude are infectious and truly lifts those around her.

Afsar, however, is determined to compete and win as a Paralympic athlete from Pakistan. In future, she also plans to mentor other athletes who have the same big dreams. "Don't be afraid of falling," she says, “because you can always get back up," is her message for everyone struggling out there.