Meet Noah. He’s been a soccer star ever since he was young, carving his way through defenders and finding the back of the net like it was no big deal.
However, his soccer skills aren’t the only thing that separate him from most young players: When he steps onto the pitch, he steps onto it with only one leg.
Noah had osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that resulted in an above-the-knee amputation of his left leg when he was only a child.
From that young age, Noah worked with Ability to reclaim his mobility and independence. Today, he has found a lifelong support system in his Ability prosthetists, Jeff Quelet, CPO, John P. Jacobs, CPO, and Chris DiGioia, CP, CFo.
A Partner in Prosthetics
Jeff Quelet, an American Board Certified Prosthetic and Orthotic (CPO), has been more than a prosthetist to Noah for over eight years; he’s also been a friend.
Just as Noah says, “Jeff’s like a big brother to me.”
But when Noah first received his leg prosthetic, he resented it. He didn’t wear it; he could barely even look at it.
Jeff shares a similar story with Noah, having also lost his leg to cancer at an early age. So on top of providing clinical support with his prosthetics and general mobility, Jeff also sympathizes with Noah on a personal level, helping him cope with the loss of a limb as well as unlocking his athletic potential through therapy and prostheses.
Winning Any Competition, Prosthetic Leg or Not
Noah is netting goals on and off the field, thanks to the support of his family, Jeff and his sheer willpower.
At age 14, Noah became the youngest player to play for the U.S. National Amputee Soccer Team.
Not all amputee stories include an invitation to play on a national sports team. But he isn’t your average teenager, either.
Noah’s used to competition. Whether it be childhood cancer or the opposing defender in front of him, he’s got the drive and the support he needs to win. The ball sitting in the back of the net proves it.
