Thank you to CAF-Idaho athlete Kevin Peter for interviewing Diana and compiling the story below, and to Diana Davis for sharing her journey.

Diana Davis brings joy, enthusiasm, and intensity to every activity she undertakes with CAF and elsewhere. She is an amazing and driven adaptive athlete that epitomizes CAF’s goal of strength through sport. Diana also treats all other adaptive athletes she meets with respect and positivity, embracing them as part of the CAF community. She considers the other adaptive athletes as part of a team, bonded by the same goal to improve and conquer challenges. 

A Life-Altering Injury and a Fortuitous Introduction to CAF-Idaho

Diana’s path towards becoming an adaptive athlete started with a life-altering event requiring her to adjust to a completely new way of living. After sustaining a devastating work-related injury, amputation claimed much of her left leg and other traumas affected her right leg. A substantial hospital stay, multiple surgeries, and arduous rehabilitation occupied several years following her accident. Diana faced significant physical challenges, including the use of a prosthesis, to reclaim her basic capabilities. Through these trials, Diana learned that such limitations do not define her as a person or adaptive athlete. 

Two years ago, Diana’s prosthetist told her about CAF and encouraged her to participate in a Field Day where she met others in the adaptive community and saw the breadth of adaptive sports. This event opened her to a new world of possibilities to enrich her life. Diana had not been involved in sports prior to her accident, so witnessing others with adaptive challenges participating in a variety of sports planted the desire in her to join in all the opportunities CAF offered. Since then, CAF has played a fundamental role in helping Diana remain active, adventurous, and involved with a community of athletes who share her zeal and goals. She also recognized the significant role CAF and the adaptive sports community have played in shaping her post-accident life. Echoing what many of its members say, Diana feels that CAF “saved her life.” 

Adaptive Exercise Program Captures Diana’s Spirit

Diana’s initial involvement with CAF came through the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse Adaptive Exercise Program. Although she did not partake in strength and conditioning activities prior to her accident, Diana became a consistent and enthusiastic member of the Adaptive Exercise class. 

With a willingness to learn and a fervor to improve, Diana grew in strength, mobility, and stamina. She also brought unbridled enthusiasm and camaraderie to the class, quickly making friends among the other athletes and coaches. These qualities, in turn, drove Diana to pursue the numerous other activities and events that CAF offered. She now participates in the adaptive exercise program, handcycling, adaptive mountain biking, sit-skiing, and just about any other sport offered by CAF or the Idaho Outdoor Fieldhouse. Currently, Diana is focused on road handcycling, mountain biking, and gravel racing.