On Thursday December 16th, the students at Big Sandy High School heard an inspirational talk from Amberley Snyder. Amberley is a former national champion rodeo rider and Utah State FFA president, who was paralyzed from the waist down while traveling to the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo to compete. During her talk, she described the car accident, ejection from the vehicle, injury, hospital stay, rehabilitation, and long road to return to competitive riding. Her story of demoralizing and debilitating setback held the students' rapt attention. Ultimately, it was the account of her return to the sport she loves dearly that really won the audience.
Her journey back to the saddle included a long period of turning away from her horses and telling her mother to sell the stock, the process of relearning to engage in the ordinary everyday tasks of living, a moment of personal encounter with God during a deer hunting trip, and finally facing the challenges of riding again without the use of her legs. Much of the journey was documented in weekly "Wheelchair Wednesday" video clips, which she posted online throughout her journey. The recurring message of her talk was to face and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of doing what you love or being who you want to be. She urged students to avoid comparing their own obstacles and challenges. She explained that "We all get to draw from the bag of life," but we don't get to choose what we get. Good, bad, or whatever, you get what you get. In the face of this truth, we must set goals and start by taking small steps to achieve those goals. She explained that her return to riding was hard, but that it made all of the things that have happened since possible.
Amberley's energy, honesty, and powerful words of encouragement spoke volumes about her passion for touching the lives of young people. "I love getting to speak to the young kids, because you get to can see the impact very fast, but up to the big groups... I don't know, there's a different feeling when you're speaking to 9,000 people who are just waiting on your every word. I mean, between here and Augusta, they're tiny schools, so its cool to look in every single person's face when you speak."
The talk frequently involved audience participation, and the students were given an opportunity to ask questions at the end. Student questions involved her faith, questions about the accuracy of the Netflix movie about her life, and her travels. Amberley was open about how much she enjoys and finds meaning in speaking to students about her life: "I honestly didn't think there was anything I would love as much as riding my horses and competing, but the more I've been able to speak and get to know people and share my story, and honestly experience the impact it makes, that's what truly does make it worth it. I was asked today how my faith plays a role in all this, that's when I know that God has put me in a place I'm supposed to be, because I get to help others."
"I hope anyone who listens to me gets to find some sort of light in what's going on, and that they're going to lean on it. Also, I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to come and speak." Before speaking in Big Sandy, she spoke the previous day, and that morning, in Augusta. The talk was made possible by a cooperative effort by local organization: the Student Council, the Big Sandy Foundation, Rotary, and the school. Each contributed financially to the effort.
In addition to her speaking career and a return to competitive rodeo, Amberley has earned a degree in Agricultural Education, and a Masters Degree in School Counseling from Utah State University.
For readers interested in learning more about Amberley, her website (www.Amberley Snyder.org) tells her story. She has also written a book and is the subject of a Netflix drama. Both are titled: "Walk, Ride, Rodeo."
