From devastation to motivation, then inspiration | Noelle Lambert | TEDxAmoskeagMillyard

Noelle Lambert was a Division I student-athlete when a devastating accident resulted in the loss of her left leg. Unsure of what her future might now hold, with the support and encouragement of others – and her own determination – Lambert reassessed her abilities and goals, turning self-doubt into motivation. She was ready to take on the world once again – and soon made her mark in places she never expected to be. Lambert shares her personal journey and what she’s learned along the way. In 2016, Noelle Lambert lost her left leg due to a moped accident. At the time, she was playing Division I lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, Massachusetts. After her accident, she worked her way back on the lacrosse field, becoming the first above-knee amputee to ever play collegiate lacrosse. After graduating in 2019, Noelle pursued track & field. In her first race, she beat the reigning national champion and hit the qualifying times to be a part of the US Paralympic National team. In 2021, Noelle competed in the Tokyo Paralympic Games placing 6th in the world and breaking the US 100-meter record. After Tokyo, she started competing in snowboarding competitively making the world championship team her first year competing. Noelle started a nonprofit organization called The Born to Run Foundation, which focuses on donating specialized prosthetics to amputees in need allowing them to live a fun and fulfilling life. In 2022, she was cast to be on Season 43 of Survivor, where she was the first above-knee amputee to ever be cast on the show. She has also become a motivational speaker and loves to share her story to help inspire and motivate others. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx