Purdy - On my own two feet: from losing my legs to learning the dance of life

This book is dedicated to the dreamers.

Ive always loved this photo because it reminds me of how carefree I was as a child. Little did I know what was in store for my life. I was born with blond hair, and then it turned strawberry blond, and then finally brown.

Three years old, wearing my favorite overalls in the back of my dads truck. I loved being outside, and playing in my dads truck is one of my clearest memories from when I was little.

My sister, Crystal, and me in our cowgirl dresses, getting ready to go to the Helldorado rodeo. Attending the annual rodeo was my familys tradition even before my dad worked there.

Fishing with my grandpa and my mom. To this day, we still go to Utah every summer and make sure to fish with my grandpa.

Going camping with my Grandma and Grandpa Campbell, my sister, and my cousins. We loved camping in Utah! It was one of our favorite things to do in the summer.

I always enjoyed the snow, but I was never really a good skier. I snow plowed the majority of the time and couldnt stand having cold feet. However, I loved the outdoors and always looked forward to our family trips.

With my first snowboard, a Gnu skidder. It was love at first ride!

At fifteen, I stood with my first snowboard. I was wearing my friend Joshs pants and a big hoodie, since I hadnt yet bought any snowboard clothing of my own!

In this picture, taken one morning before my sister, Crystal, and I drove off to school in the beat-up red Chevy we shared, I am a sophomore and she is a senior. Crystal was not only the head varsity cheerleader, she was and still is my biggest fan, an amazing role model, and the best sister I could ever ask for.

1998, all dressed up and heading to my senior prom.

Just twenty-four hours after entering the hospital. My mom took this photo after I was put into an induced coma. She thought, If Amy survives this, she will never believe what she went through.

Here is a summary of my stay in the hospital from my doctor. It explains the bleak condition I was in when entering the hospital, as well as what I endured during my stay.

With Dr. Abby after I awakened from my coma. He visited my bedside every day while I was in the hospital. We are still great friends, and I credit him and his intuition for playing a huge part in my survival.

Just days after getting my new legs, I stood up and danced with my dad. Its interesting to think that my life has come full circle. In this moment, who would have known that I would eventually go on to compete on Dancing with the Stars?

My dad and I walk down the hospital halls the morning after our kidney transplant. They had us up on our feet in no time! I couldnt be more grateful for his gift.

My friend Johnny walked me down the aisle at my sisters wedding. This is when I learned how much we can accomplish if we are determined enough. I took my first steps toward a new life.

Just a few months after leaving the hospital, I weighed just under ninety pounds. Here I am with my little Roxy baby, my little angel in fur. As challenging as it was that she ran away daily, she was the best physical therapy I could have had. She walked by my side through one of the most difficult chapters of my life.

Putting shoes on the feet of South African children during the Toms/Element Skateboards Shoe Drop. This was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. The children had very little, yet they were so full of love and gratitude.

(Photo courtesy Marc Falkenstien.)

Here I am trying on the legs Nikki Sixx had made for our photo shoot. These legs made me feel extremely feminineI loved how long, lean, and pointed they were, like the ultimate stiletto! Believe it or not, I could balance and walk on them.

Testing out my new snowboard feet in a lab in Colorado. Im always trying to up my game!

Me and Daniel in front of our house in Lake Tahoe, California. It has been amazing to share a passion and work together with him on Adaptive Action Sports. Live Beyond Limits became the motto of our organization and also my personal mantra.