Amy's way: Lehi High swimmer with no legs finds ways to compete without making excuses

"I thought there is potential for this athlete to be very inspiring to the other swimmers, depending on (her) attitude," said Meyring, whose coached swimming for 19 years. "Then I met her and thought, 'Wow. She has such a positive attitude and just determination. She has goals and she knows what she wants.' It doesn't take long (for her to fit in). She'll completely disarm you. You just don't even see her as a person with a disability, and that's because of the way she approaches things."

Meyring said Chapman participates in all of the demanding aspects of the sport — from early-morning workouts to three-hour after-school practices. "When the team runs, she does the elliptical," he said. "She just has this drive that says, 'I'm part of the team. Whatever the team requires, I'm going to do it.' She's just another swimmer."

And being a swimmer — an athlete — has enhanced Chapman's life.

"It's awesome," she said of being a swimmer and basketball player. "If I didn't do sports I would go crazy. ... My life would be very different without them. This has helped me not makes excuses."

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