Paralympian Jillian Elwart sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, to answer the following questions:

0:34 1. Jillian, you are a pediatric prosthetist for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Let’s start here today. I once heard you tell a story about an American Girl doll and the way the team at Shriners used it at work. Can you share some of that story with us?

2:08 2. In speaking about Shriners, you once said:

”We’re more than a hospital. We are more than an appointment. More than physical therapy. We’re hope, to these kids and to their families.”

For many local residents, Shriners is still a bit of a hidden or unknown gem. How fortunate is this community to have Shriners and what makes it such an important resource to so many?

3:25 3. When you were born, you had a condition called proximal femoral focal deficiency, which required you to have your right leg amputated above the knee. Fast forward, and next month you will be competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Tell me some about your training regimen and how you are preparing for next month’s competitions.

5:22 4. Tell me about the events you will be competing in so that we can watch and pull for you.

6:24 5. Lastly, you once said,

“I hope I’m a role model for the kids I serve. I want them to know regardless of physical differences you can do what you set your mind to.”

As someone who has overcome adversity and turn setbacks into opportunities, what words of wisdom do you have for others who are confronted with what seem like really daunting or perhaps insurmountable challenges?