Double Amputee Teaches Students About Overcoming Adversity

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Westhampton Beach Middle School students kicked off the year with a critical life lesson.

To overcome adversity, one needs resilience and courage — that was one of the inspirational messages that motivational speaker Rohan Murphy delivered to the young people during an assembly on Jan. 3, according to district officials.

The students listened as Murphy, an East Islip native, told them about overcoming many challenges throughout his life as a double-leg amputee, and how he worked to perfect his wrestling skills and go on to play for Penn State. He urged the students to take on challenges and never give up, officials said.

“No excuses,” he said. “Anything is possible.”

Following the assembly, Murphy met with students in small-group settings, where they were encouraged to ask questions. He also stopped in to several lunch periods and took selfies with the students, the district said.

Patch photo courtesy of the Westhampton Beach School District.