Katie Holloway
Katie Holloway Bridge is a famous Paralympic gold medalist, who has been competing for over 17 years. She was born with fibular hemimelia, a condition where a child is born with a short or missing fibula. Due to her condition, Bridge had to get her foot amputated. Despite her adversity, she continued to push past limits and win two gold medals in the Paralympics.
Early life:
Katie Holloway Bridge was born on June 8th, 1986 in Everett, Washington. At only 20 months old, her right foot was amputated— but she never let that stop her. In high school, she continued to pursue her passion for athletics in volleyball and basketball.
Fibular Hemimelia:
When a baby is born with fibular hemimelia, the missing or shortened fibula can occur in one leg or both. This can result in a leg length discrepancy, where one leg is significantly shorter then the other. The baby’s ankle and foot may also look different; the knee might bend inward or the child might be missing a couple of toes! Other than visible symptoms, fibular hemimelia can also cause shallow hip joints or weak and/or missing ligaments around the knee.
Although the cause of Fibular Hemimelia is still unknown, doctors can usually determine if something is wrong with a baby’s fibula before birth through ultrasound scans. After birth, a baby may have x-rays or MRIs to confirm the condition.
Treatment differs depending on how the missing bone affects the child. Most kids might get surgeries to prolong the longer leg’s growth to allow the shorter leg to catch up, some get leg-lengthening surgery, or use surgery to repair bones, joints, or muscles that didn’t grow properly due to the fibula. In extreme cases where one leg is significantly shorter, like Bridge, amputation may be recommended so that a prosthetic can be fitted and the child can live life normally with regular checkups.
Achievements:
Bridge has made a name for herself in the Paralympic scene. Some of her amazing achievements include:
MVP at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo
Member of US Women’s Sitting Team named 2016 “Best Paralympic Team”
Nominated for Women’s Sports Foundation’s Sportswoman of the Year (2013 and 2022)
Leading scorer on the US team in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing
First female amputee athlete to compete in the NCAA Division 1 Basketball in the NCAA
Conclusion:
Katie Holloway Bridge is an amazing Paralympian who has won 2 gold medals for the USA team. Outside of winning gold for the US, Bridge works as a Recreational Therapist and helps with physician wellness, managing burnout, and hoping to help the healthcare system policies. Most notably, Bridge is also a strong advocate for people with disabilities. She has continuously fought for equal pay for Paralympians, who usually get paid less than their Olympian counterparts. After years of fighting, the Olympic and Paralympic Committee has finally decided to give equal bonuses to Paralympians and Olympians. Although there is still a long journey toward her goal, Bridge does not plan on giving up until equal pay is reached for her fellow Paralympians.
Sources:
“Fibular Hemimelia (for Parents) | Nemours Kidshealth.” KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, kidshealth.org/en/parents/fibular-hemimelia.html. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
“Katie Holloway Bridge.” Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS), www.rjos.org/events/katie-holloway-bridge. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
“Katie Holloway Bridge.” USA Volleyball, 16 Sept. 2024, usavolleyball.org/athlete/katie-holloway/.
“Katie Holloway Bridge’s Path from NCAA Basketball to Five-Time Team USA Paralympian and Advocate.” NCAA.Org, NCAA.org, 30 Aug. 2024, www.ncaa.org/news/2024/8/31/olympics-katie-holloway-bridges-path-from-ncaa-basketball-to-five-time-team-usa-paralympian-and-advocate.aspx.
“Fibular Hemimelia (for Parents) | Nemours Kidshealth.” KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, kidshealth.org/en/parents/fibular-hemimelia.html. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Google Image Result for Https://Pbs.Twimg.Com/Media/Fr7lgxpx0ai_bu1?Format=jpg&name=large, Google, www.google.com/imgres?q=katie%2Bholloway%2Bbridge%2Bachievements&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FFR7lgxpX0AI_Bu1%3Fformat%3Djpg%26name%3Dlarge&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fksholloway&docid=fURF89ONvz1VBM&tbnid=c6QEEpjSqxRFcM&vet=12ahUKEwj0nMan46GLAxUtwvACHYnFL7UQM3oECHAQAA..i&w=2048&h=1536&hcb=2&ved=2ahUKEwj0nMan46GLAxUtwvACHYnFL7UQM3oECHAQAA. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
“Katie Holloway Bridge.” Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS), www.rjos.org/events/katie-holloway-bridge. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.