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JCOM grad to run (on a prosthetic leg, no less) with Olympic torch By
Steven Barfuss Erin Taylor Guenter, a graduate from the Utah State University department of journalism and communication, has been selected to be one of the Olympic torch bearers. "I feel honored to be a representative of the community on this occasion, but I find it hard to believe I was selected to be one of the Olympic torch bearers," Guenter said. Guenter has a prosthetic leg from the knee down. She has remained more than active in her lifestyle despite her disability. Guenter participates in rock climbing, water skiing and snow skiing, and has even biked across the state of Iowa. "The coaches asked me what I had done to my knee because they saw I was wearing a brace," Guenter said. In junior high Guenter was on the school basketball team without even her coaches knowing she had a prosthetic limb until they saw her wearing a knee brace. "Most people donšt believe me when I tell them I have a prosthesis,˛ Guenter said. Guenter is well known in the community as a motivational speaker. She has spoken throughout Utah and as far away as Alabama. "Išve spoken to a wide range of audiences from elementary school age to college level,˛ Guenter said. People face challenges in life. Guenter feels she can help individuals by talking about her experiences. "Even though people do not have the same challenges I have, everyone faces difficulties. We choose our attitudes about everything, and I think I can help people smile in their moments of adversity," Guenter said. The disability Guenter deals with has been a part of her entire life, it started as a birth defect. As a baby she wore a cast on her leg until 3 years old. At the age of 6 she had a leg lengthening operation. When she was 10 her foot was amputated and later her leg to the joint of her knee. "Definitely this is a disability, but the lessons I have learned from having prosthesis have been advantageous in applying them to any of lifešs challenges," Guenter said. Guenter graduated from Utah State University in May of 2000. Before that she served as an intern to U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, in Washington, D.C. During her internship she helped with the Lupus Bill and worked under the communication director in Bennettšs office. Currently Guenter is married and works in Cache Valley for Spectrum Consulting.
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