When Lora Webster was 11 years old, her world turned upside down. A swelling in her left knee, initially dismissed as a sports injury, was diagnosed as osteosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer. In less than a week, she transitioned from an active sixth grader in Lincoln, Nebraska, to a "cancer kid," undergoing a central line placement and starting chemotherapy. The speed of the diagnosis and treatment, she reflects, may have saved her life—and her family’s sanity. “We didn’t have time to process,” Lora shared. “We were already in it.”

For Lora, being "in it" has always meant fighting her way through challenges with determination. Faced with the prospect of surgery to remove the tumor, she chose an unconventional procedure: rotationplasty. This rare surgery removed the cancerous bone and knee joint, rotated her lower leg 180 degrees, and reattached it so the ankle could function as a new knee. It was a decision her parents let her make, and one that defined her future as an athlete.

“My mom worried about how I’d explain my backward foot on a first date,” Lora recalls, laughing. “But I was focused on getting back to sports.”

After her surgery and recovery, Lora returned to sports just months later, playing volleyball in high school. She became a standout athlete at Lincoln East High School, even helping her team clinch a state championship.

Later, during a club volleyball tournament, a referee noticed her playing with a prosthetic and suggested she explore sitting volleyball. Initially, Lora hesitated. “At first, I resisted—I didn’t see myself as disabled,” she admitted. But the referee’s introduction connected her with a coach whose persistence ultimately brought her into a sport that would change her life forever.

A Life Transformed by Sports

That first encounter with sitting volleyball led to an 18-month whirlwind of training with a fledgling Team USA, culminating in a bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. It was the first time women’s sitting volleyball was included in the Paralympics, and for Lora, then just 18 years old, it was transformative.

“When I walked into my first sitting volleyball camp, I was overwhelmed. It wasn’t just the sport—it was meeting people who understood the physical and emotional struggles I’d been through,” she said. “It felt like family.”.

Now 38, Lora has achieved more than she could have imagined as a young girl navigating life with a prosthetic.

Since Athens, Lora has played in every Paralympic Games, winning silver medals in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), and gold in Rio (2016), Tokyo (2021), and Paris (2024). Her latest victory in Paris was particularly meaningful. “Blocking is my biggest contribution to the team,” she said, reflecting on being honored as the Best Blocker of the tournament. “It still makes me smile. It’s where I feel my value lies.”

Moments That Leave a Mark

While Lora’s journey has been full of accolades, it’s the quieter, humbling moments that stand out. At the Athens Games, she was deeply moved by a fellow athlete in the dining hall—a man with his leg wrapped around a makeshift wooden stick.

“It was literally just a walking stick, like something you’d find in your parents’ garage,” she recounted. “I don’t know if they didn’t have the means for a prosthetic or what his story was, but he figured out a way not only to walk but to compete for his country.”

The sight of him navigating the challenges of life and sport with such ingenuity and determination crystallized something for Lora. “You can throw every excuse you want, but it gets you nowhere,” she said. “If you’re willing, if you’re bold enough, you can figure out a way.”

Breaking Barriers and Changing Perceptions

As adaptive sports gain visibility, Lora has witnessed a shift in how the world views Paralympic athletes. Early in her career, she often encountered a patronizing attitude. “People would watch us play and say, ‘Good for you,’” she said. “It made my skin crawl. This isn’t a fallback. It’s an elite sport that demands skill and dedication.”

She cites the sheer athleticism required in adaptive sports, from blind swimmers racing full-speed toward unseen walls to wheelchair basketball players who juggle dribbling, shooting, and maneuvering their chairs. “Adaptive sports are often harder than their able-bodied counterparts,” Lora asserts. “You’re taking a vital part of the body out of commission, but still playing at the highest level.”

Lora’s advocacy for adaptive sports extends beyond competition. She has been instrumental in introducing sitting volleyball to able-bodied athletes and communities. “It’s a perfect example of how far we’ve come,” she said. “The sport is for everyone, and its growth reflects the increasing acceptance and appreciation of adaptive athletes.”

Motherhood, Mentorship, and Motivation

Off the court, Lora is a mother to four children, ranging in age from toddler to teenager, and she shares her love of volleyball with her husband, Paul. A former collegiate volleyball player at the University of Delaware, Paul shares Lora’s competitive spirit and deep connection to the sport. The two first met at a sitting volleyball tournament, where Paul and his team joined the women's sitting squad for a practice match. “He wasn’t great at sitting volleyball,” Lora laughed. “But he put up a strong block, and he clearly understood the fundamentals.” Their shared passion for the game became the foundation of a life filled with both family and sport.

Her oldest child will be 17 when the Paralympics come to Los Angeles in 2028—a milestone that motivates her to continue competing. “My kids have never seen me play. Competing on home soil would mean so much,” she said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lora also dedicates time to mentoring those facing life-changing injuries or conditions. She encourages them to embrace their new realities and push past self-imposed limits. “Nothing you do can change what happened to you,” she tells them. “But how you respond can change everything. Choose joy.”

Fueling the Journey

Throughout her journey, Lora has found strength not only in her family and teammates but also in the small comforts of familiar routines. One of those comforts is Simply Snackin’ chicken snacks, a staple in her competition diet. Before the Paris Games, when a customs issue threatened her supply of jerky, she reached out to the company in a panic.

Connie, a Simply Snackin’ team member, sprang into action. “She was amazing,” Lora said. “She overnighted my favorite flavors—Black Bean Chicken with Red Bell Peppers & Salsa and Teriyaki Chicken with Mangos. I showed up in Paris feeling like I’d won a small victory before the Games even began. It’s those little things that mean so much.”

For Lora Webster, every step of her journey—from surviving cancer to Paralympic glory—has been a testament to resilience and the power of community. Whether inspiring others on the court or through her advocacy, she continues to push boundaries, proving that no challenge is insurmountable. “If you want to do something, it doesn’t matter how messy it looks. Just figure out a way,” she said. “That’s the spirit of the Paralympics, and it’s how I try to live my life.”

Follow Lora Webster on Instagram.

Watch Lora's recent interview on the US Volleyball Show YouTube channel.