Athletics

Pursuing New Dreams

N Our Voice by Petra Luteran

Hannah Preissler

August, 2022.

Not only would my life change forever that day, but I lost a part of me I would never get back.

I was involved in a UTV accident that resulted in the loss of my arm. It was incredibly difficult to accept and process. Almost two years later, I still find myself processing it and am overcome with emotions at times, but you can’t change the past, right?

Something I’ve always been grateful for is not long after the accident, I was ready to move on. I can cry all day long, but that’s not going to change anything.

How can I make the best of this situation?

It was actually my dad who first came up with the idea of me competing in the Paralympics. He brought it up when I was still in the hospital going through surgeries.

It gave me something to focus on, think about and keep myself busy with researching para-athletics during this difficult time.

And he was absolutely right.

I was a high jumper for Nebraska a few years back, and while I thought my track career was behind me when I graduated in 2020, life clearly had other plans.

Seeking happiness and fulfillment, I headed back to my home away from home at the track, a place that’s never failed to make me feel alive.

Moving onward and upward

I’m certainly no stranger to adversity.

In 2018, I tore my ACL at the Big 10 Championships.

The worst part wasn’t even that I tore my ACL. It was the fact that I finished second and qualified for Nationals, but couldn’t compete because of my ACL.

That was a tough pill to swallow.

And as anyone who’s torn their ACL knows, the rehab was extensive and daunting.

Looking back on it now, though, it helped prepare me for life after my accident.

Obviously, tearing an ACL pales in comparison to losing an arm, but it’s the mindset and focus I gained through my rehab process that gave me a distinct advantage.

In the hospital after the accident, I started working out and doing anything I could. Even if it was just little things, I knew a healthy mind and body would do wonders for the goals I had in front of me of being a Paralympic athlete.

I contacted the Hungarian Paralympic Committee shortly thereafter, and they were thrilled to be gaining a new member.

They were gutted for me because they knew who I was and the success I had at Nebraska, but they were fully supportive and respected how positive I was about my situation.

Don’t get me wrong, I had some hard times and low moments – still do today – but I’ve always been focused on moving forward.

How can I be better today than I was yesterday?

Adjusting to my new normal

Once I got out of the hospital, my life was all about adjustments.

Putting on t-shirts and socks and tying shoes is something we all take for granted and don’t think twice about. But let me tell you, the struggle is real trying to do these things with one hand.

I got to a point where I was like, you know what? Why am I doing this to myself? I’m making my life harder than it has to be.

That’s when I got rid of a good portion of my clothes that were just too difficult to put on. I loved my shirts and tight jeans, but they weren’t worth the hassle, you know what I mean?

My mindset completely shifted to accommodate whatever would make my life easier.

I also had to adjust to being a sprinter, since high jump wasn’t offered for my disability group. My dad sent me a bunch of workouts and worked closely in building me back up and essentially teaching me how to run at a competitive level.

My husband has also been my rock. We actually got married a month before I had my accident, so our marriage is a testament to “in sickness and in health,” and I’m beyond grateful for the support system that he and the rest of my family have given me.

I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them.

Continuing to dream

Fortunately for me, the support didn’t end with my family.

The company I chose to work with for prosthetics is Limb Lab. I can’t say enough great things about them, as they’ve been absolutely amazing throughout this entire process.

Recently, they created two prosthetics for me to train and compete in long jump and sprints, and their support has truly meant the world to me. I am also thankful for the Amputee Wellness Alliance of the Midlands that helped with purchasing some parts for my prosthetic that I use for lifting, biking and other activities.

It’s still a bit of an adjustment for me on the track, but my goal is to always keep getting better, and I’ve been pleased with my results and the progress I’ve made.

I had a meet in Croatia several weeks back, where I was fortunate enough to set three PRs, so it’s exciting to know that my hard work is paying off as I continue to improve.

While I haven’t officially qualified for the 2024 Paralympics yet, I believe I have a good chance of going. The qualification period closes in June and they’ll look at times and distances from athletes across various meets. From there, they’ll look at the list and decide how many athletes they’ll take for the Paralympics.

I’m crossing my fingers, as this has been my dream and number one motivator since I was laying in that hospital bed.

I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Whether I compete in Paris at the Paralympics or not, I’m going to hold my head high and be proud of myself for chasing after a dream that’s allowed me to compete again in a sport that I’ve loved for my entire life.

Opportunities await you

As I sit here today, I find myself having endless gratitude for so many various aspects of my life.

Like I just mentioned, I’m grateful to compete and live out my dreams again on the track.

I’m grateful for my family and husband for being by my side through every high and low these past two years. I cannot emphasize enough how much my dad has been helping with coaching me again. He was my coach before I went to Nebraska for high jump, and now, he is my coach for sprints and long jump.

I’m grateful for my Husker family, who I know will always have my back no matter what.

Once a Husker, always a Husker!

Most importantly, I’m grateful to have a platform and be a source of inspiration and guidance to anyone that’s become an amputee or has a disability of any kind.

If I could share any advice on what I’ve learned, it’s that there are opportunities everywhere. No matter what your situation is, there are opportunities in life at every turn.

Whatever it is that interests you and fuels your soul, go after it with everything you’ve got, because you’ll be amazed by how much happiness it brings to your life.

Whether it’s the Paralympics, Paris or anything and everything in between, run as fast as you can and work as hard as you can toward it.

A lifetime of fulfillment is waiting for you at the finish line.