Annie Flood was born in Salem, Oregon, with fibular hemimelia, a rare condition that left her with only three toes on her right foot, a shortened femur, and a leg that was significantly shorter. At nine months old, Annie underwent a Symes amputation, and by 11 months she was already fitted with her first prosthetic leg. 

Her parents made the difficult decision early on between keeping her foot and relying on a wheelchair or moving forward with amputation. That choice gave Annie the ability to grow up active, confident, and ready to take on sports. 

Growing Up With Sport 

From a young age, Annie was athletic, energetic, and determined to stay active. She started with soccer and running, but for years she did everything on a standard walking leg. At age 10, she received her first CAF grant for an athletic prosthetic leg—opening the door to playing and training at a higher level. 

As her interests shifted, Annie discovered volleyball. With CAF support, she received additional athletic legs and funding to travel to Oklahoma, Texas, and Brazil to train and compete in sitting volleyball. CAF also recognized her dedication with the Sam Day Rising Star Award at the Celebration of Abilities awards evening in 2017, highlighting her as an emerging leader in adaptive sport. 

Finding Sitting Volleyball 

Annie was introduced to sitting volleyball in 2016 at a summer camp in Ohio. The sport immediately captured her attention, combining her love of competition with the challenge of mastering a new discipline. By November 2017, she began training with the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Team. 

Within two years, Annie became the only high school athlete named to the senior national team roster. She competed internationally as part of the squad that won gold at the 2019 World ParaVolley World Super 6, showing that her place belonged among the world’s best. 

A Golden Moment in Tokyo 

Her rise culminated at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, where she helped Team USA win gold in the women’s sitting volleyball tournament. Standing on the top of the podium, Annie achieved a dream that began with her first CAF grant years earlier. 

Career Highlights 

• 2016: Introduced to sitting volleyball at summer camp in Ohio 

• 2017: Began training with U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball National Team 

• 2018: Competed in U.S. exhibition matches against Canada 

• 2019: Member of gold medal–winning team at World ParaVolley World Super 6 (only high school athlete on roster) 

• 2020: Paralympic Games in Tokyo – Gold medal, U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team 

Balancing Sport and Life 

While Annie has excelled at the highest levels of volleyball, she continues to balance her athletic career with a full and busy life off the court. She has played standing volleyball with her Salem-based Southside Volleyball Club as a setter. She also volunteers regularly at her mother’s elementary school, through her high school leadership program, and in the nursery at her church. 

Family remains central to her story. Annie often credits her mom, Linda, as her role model—especially after watching her mother overcome breast cancer. She is also close with her two older sisters, Lindsay and Maggie, who have supported her journey from childhood through international competition. 

Favorites and Passions 

When not training or competing, Annie enjoys music, spending time with friends and family, and unwinding with her favorite books and movies. She cites volleyball star Matt Anderson as her favorite athlete, pasta as her go-to food, and The Fault in Our Stars as her favorite book. 

The Role of CAF 

Annie’s journey to the Paralympics would not have been possible without support at the right time. CAF provided her with multiple athletic prosthetics, travel grants, and mentorship opportunities to ensure she could pursue volleyball at the highest level. Those early investments in her growth created the foundation for her rise to the U.S. National Team and eventually to Paralympic gold. 

Be Part of the Movement 

Annie Flood’s journey from her first CAF grant to becoming a Paralympic champion shows how access to equipment and opportunity can unlock potential. CAF continues to fuel the dreams of athletes like Annie, making it possible for them to compete, travel, and reach the biggest stages in sport. 

You can help support the next generation of athletes—by volunteering, donating, or sharing their stories—so more athletes with physical disabilities have the chance to pursue their goals.