Women's History Wednesday Profile: Allison Aldrich
Allison poses post-surgery (left) had the will to compete, and it took her to the Paralympics (right) Credit: Team USA
“On September 13th of 1995, I was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma,” shared Allison Aldrich in an interview for Team USA. Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that attacks soft tissue and dermis (the living skin tissue). At the age of seven, Allison went through six months of chemotherapy before eventually having her leg amputated slightly below the knee. After her surgery, Allison went back to her normal routine of t-ball, dance, soccer and more. She remained an athlete, eventually winning three medals for the Team USA in sitting volleyball.
Aldrich’s key to overcoming cancer and adjusting to her prosthetic leg was simple: “Never be pitied for it.” She and her parents made a choice to overcome any negative feelings. That was not always an easy task, as Allison often felt she was looked at as different because of her “fake leg”. By high school, Allison decided that staying positive would include finding a new way to play sports. Her desire to no longer be different led her to Team USA sitting volleyball, “When I was at my first camp and until I retired, I was judged on how well I could play the sport next to my teammates because we were all disabled, not how well I could keep up with my teammates because I was different.
Aldrich (center, Number 11) and Team USA celebrate during Beijing Games Credit: Getty Images
“Every disabled athletes feels this and just wants to be treated normal. Playing sitting volleyball opened my eyes to being treated like a normal high class athlete. I bring this in my coaching endeavours now …” In Allison’s first international tournament, the Sitting Volleyball Invitational hosted by China, the team took home silver. Two years later, Aldrich won her first of three gold medals in the Euro Cup (2009, 2011, 2012). Aldrich is also a three-time Parapan champion, winning championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The 2011 games were held in Brazil, the nation who will host the 2016 Paralympics Games. Aldrich has also medaled in the World ParaVolleyball Intercontinental Cup (bronze, 2008), the ParaVolleyball World Cup (gold, 2010) and the World Championships (silver, 2010). Allison is a three-time Paralympian, winning bronze in the 2004 Athens Games, silver at the 2008 Beijing Games, and silver in the 2012 London, her final Paralympic Games.
“Playing sitting volleyball and traveling the world, I am thankful to be from the USA. This country has given me opportunities that I see other countries not give their women. I am blessed to be from the USA and all it has given to me.”
The ability for her to share what she has accomplished when coaching and mentoring young athletes, “It has also taught me that if I can do anything with my one leg, than my students can do anything with their 2 legs. You must be determined to push past any obstacles standing in your way to reach your goals.”
Aldrich at practice for the Wilber-Clatonia Wolverines, where she coached high school volleyball Credit: Kristin Streff/Lincoln Journal Star
In addition to coaching high school volleyball, Aldrich has been able to inspire children with disabilities. In 2012, Allison was able to encourage a boy who had recently lost his leg to try wrestling, “The first time I saw him wrestle, I cried. I felt like a proud parent,” she told the Lincoln Journal Star. Participation in sport can open all kinds of doors for athletes and Allison is convinced that any childing willing to work hard should be given the opportunity to compete. As a coach, she also understands the valuable lessons, like respect, that can come from sports, “Volleyball is quick, and if you do not slow down to respect it you might lose out. It has given me opportunities to be the best version of myself and when I needed someone, volleyball was there. It has helped to shape me into the person I am today and I am truly grateful for that.”
Although Allison is now retired, you can catch the sitting volleyball team and the rest of the Team USA Paralympians in action this summer. The 2016 Paralympics Opening Ceremony airs tonight at 7pm ET on NBC Sports.
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