Amberley Snyder Inspires Members To Overcome Obstacles
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 | Author: Avery Schiffner, Snyder FFA
Emotions were soaring during the first general session of the 93rd Texas FFA Convention as members and guests listened to the powerful story of barrel racer and inspirational speaker Amberley Snyder.
Tuesday afternoon, Snyder gave an account of how one decision instantly changed her life. Rodeo, the one thing she loved most, had seemingly been taken away from her.
Snyder became paralyzed from the waist down after a rollover car accident in 2010. Although some people may have seen this as a disadvantage, Snyder saw it as an opportunity.
“If you stop there, you can, but if you keep going, you get to decide what comes next,” Snyder said. “I always dare you to turn the page because I promise there is more to your story.”
During Snyder’s keynote, she asked audience members to participate in her wheelchair obstacle course, which let them experience the challenges of her daily life.
Through persistence and a changed perspective, Snyder prevailed despite her tragedy and figuratively and literally got back on the horse.
“Every single one of us is going to have obstacles, don’t compare yours to somebody else's,” Snyder said.
Although Snyder’s challenges are unique to her life, she advises that obstacles can turn into opportunities when we change perspective.
“We don’t always get to choose what obstacles we have, but we do get to choose how we handle it,” Snyder said.
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Reporters: Avery Schiffner, Snyder FFA
Photographer: Sydney Rapp, Taft FFA; Ella Singleton, Grapevine-Colleyville FFA; Kaytly Clift, Stratford FFA
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