Judy Siegle
Judy Siegle was a high school basketball star with a promising college future. But in a split second, her life changed forever. Her dream of playing college basketball was shattered when a drunk driver sped through a stop sign near her hometown of Pelican Rapids, Minn. The car crash left her with a broken neck. At 18, she faced life in a wheelchair. But that’s not the end of the story.
Athletic Accomplishments
Judy Siegle went on to become one of the elite wheelchair racers in the world, and she has the credentials to prove it. · A member of the U.S. team in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia · Winner of two gold medals in the Mexico City PanAm Games, 1999 · National record holder in the 400, 800, 1500 and 5000-meter events for quadriplegic women · Named 2000 Female Athlete of the Year by USA Wheelchair Track and Field.
Awards and Recognitions
· Sertoma Great Plains Regional "Service to Mankind" Award, 2006 · Kiwanis "Sports Person of the Year," 2005 · Alumni Achievement Award, Concordia College, 2005 · Fargo’s YWCA Woman of the Year in Community and Healthcare, 2002 · Healthcare Professional of the Year, 2002 · Minnesota State High School League’s Hall of Fame, 1999 · Life story featured in video "Heroes: Growing Up Female and Strong", 1993 · Concordia College Centennial Medallion Award Winner, 1991 · Rose and Jay Phillips Award, 1991 · North Dakota’s Outstanding Disabled Citizen, 1990 · Fargo’s Outstanding Employed Disabled Citizen, 1989 · Pelican Rapids High School Salutatorian and All-Around Student, 1979
Educational Background/Current Work Environment
Judy earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. For 10 years, she was a social worker on the rehabilitation unit at MeritCare Health System in Fargo, ND putting her skills to good use, helping others with disabilities meet the challenge and live full lives. · Currently, she travels around the United States educating, motivating and inspiring students, families, persons with disabilities, and those in leadership positions to excel in their lives as part of MeritCare Community Relations.
Community Involvement
Judy’s community involvement is extensive · Consumer Advisory Council, North Dakota Disability Health Project · Member, Metro Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities · Member, Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) · North Dakota State Leadership Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes · Chairperson, Inclusion Ministry Network (a group of churches developing disability ministry in the region) · Judy serves the broader community, too. In 1998 she traveled to Romania with "Wheels for the World". She functions as the ND Chair Corps Representative and has helped to collect over 800 wheelchairs that have been sent to people in need around the world.
Sought-After Speaker
Judy is a member of the National Speakers Association. She has spoken to thousands of audiences at schools, conferences, churches, camps and dinners, engaging them for the first minute to the last. She has also appeared on the Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral and 100 Huntley Street.
Author of "Living Without Limits: 10 Keys to Unlocking the Champion in You"
Judy's story is also featured in the book, "Don’t Miss Your Boat: Living Your Life with Purpose in the Real World".
Judy Siegle was a high school basketball star with a promising college future. But in a split second, her life changed forever. Her dream of playing college basketball was shattered when a drunk driver sped through a stop sign near her hometown of Pelican Rapids, Minn. The car crash left her with a broken neck. At 18, she faced life in a wheelchair. But that’s not the end of the story.
Athletic Accomplishments
Judy Siegle went on to become one of the elite wheelchair racers in the world, and she has the credentials to prove it. · A member of the U.S. team in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta and the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia · Winner of two gold medals in the Mexico City PanAm Games, 1999 · National record holder in the 400, 800, 1500 and 5000-meter events for quadriplegic women · Named 2000 Female Athlete of the Year by USA Wheelchair Track and Field.
Awards and Recognitions
· Sertoma Great Plains Regional "Service to Mankind" Award, 2006 · Kiwanis "Sports Person of the Year," 2005 · Alumni Achievement Award, Concordia College, 2005 · Fargo’s YWCA Woman of the Year in Community and Healthcare, 2002 · Healthcare Professional of the Year, 2002 · Minnesota State High School League’s Hall of Fame, 1999 · Life story featured in video "Heroes: Growing Up Female and Strong", 1993 · Concordia College Centennial Medallion Award Winner, 1991 · Rose and Jay Phillips Award, 1991 · North Dakota’s Outstanding Disabled Citizen, 1990 · Fargo’s Outstanding Employed Disabled Citizen, 1989 · Pelican Rapids High School Salutatorian and All-Around Student, 1979
Educational Background/Current Work Environment
Judy earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and communications from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. For 10 years, she was a social worker on the rehabilitation unit at MeritCare Health System in Fargo, ND putting her skills to good use, helping others with disabilities meet the challenge and live full lives. · Currently, she travels around the United States educating, motivating and inspiring students, families, persons with disabilities, and those in leadership positions to excel in their lives as part of MeritCare Community Relations.
Community Involvement
Judy’s community involvement is extensive · Consumer Advisory Council, North Dakota Disability Health Project · Member, Metro Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities · Member, Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) · North Dakota State Leadership Board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes · Chairperson, Inclusion Ministry Network (a group of churches developing disability ministry in the region) · Judy serves the broader community, too. In 1998 she traveled to Romania with "Wheels for the World". She functions as the ND Chair Corps Representative and has helped to collect over 800 wheelchairs that have been sent to people in need around the world.
Sought-After Speaker
Judy is a member of the National Speakers Association. She has spoken to thousands of audiences at schools, conferences, churches, camps and dinners, engaging them for the first minute to the last. She has also appeared on the Hour of Power from the Crystal Cathedral and 100 Huntley Street.
Author of "Living Without Limits: 10 Keys to Unlocking the Champion in You"
Judy's story is also featured in the book, "Don’t Miss Your Boat: Living Your Life with Purpose in the Real World".
