Anjali Forber-Pratt: PHD candidate, paralympic
Anjali Forber-Pratt has been competing in races since she was 10. But she’s been bound to a wheelchair since she was just four months old. This weekend, she’ll be taking a break from her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois to compete in the Monument Avenue 10K here in Richmond.
Anjali Forber-Pratt has been competing in races since she was 10. But she’s been bound to a wheelchair since she was just four months old. This weekend, she’ll be taking a break from her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois to compete in the Monument Avenue 10K here in Richmond.
In addition to working toward a PHD, Forber-Pratt is also a Paralympic athlete, and she has a few medals to prove it.
“2008 was my first games, and I came back with two bronze medals,” she said. “A bronze in the 400 meter and a bronze in the 4 by 100 meter relay. And it was just an absolutely incredible, incredible experience to be there, representing our nation, and to have 91,000 fans screaming and supporting”
She first heard about the Monument 10K through the local organization Sportable (disclosure: Sportable is an RVANews advertiser).
“They are going to be there helping to spread awareness about the abilities of people with physical disabilities and the benefits of leading an active, healthy lifestyle. And how that same mentality that’s pushed in the mainstream is true for those with disabilities as well.”
So Forber-Pratt decided she wanted to help out in the best way she knows how.
“I wanted to find out if it was possible to actually participate to help show what paralympic sport is all about, and the sport of wheelchair racing. I think that when people see a racing chair, it helps to spread awareness in a different way.”
“And also from my own standpoint, because I am gearing up for the Boston Marathon, it’s a great way for me to get some training in on Saturday as well.”
Forber-Pratt was adopted and brought to Massachusetts two months after being born in Calcutta, India. Two months after that, she was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, which left her paralyzed from the waist down. It was only a few years later that she became interested in athletics.
“I was about 6 years old. I was young and super excited to get involved in everything under the sun.”
And she’s been on U.S. national teams since her participation in the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007.
While Forber-Pratt is no stranger to overcoming adversity, the Monument 10K does present a serious challenge to wheelchair racers: cobblestones.
“I’ve heard that there are some cobblestones, and I’ve been in communication with the race director about that. It sounds like it’ll be possible, but we’ll see.”
As for others with disabilities who are interested in getting involved with sports, Forber-Pratt said that organizations like Sportable are the best way to go about it.
“The trick is getting yourself hooked in with a community group and being willing to try something new.”
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Doug Callahan
Doug Callahan is a grad student at VCU and the community news intern here at RVANews. When he’s not working toward his degree, Doug enjoys playing music, watching cartoons, and carousing with friends. His talents include the ability to move his scalp and play the “William Tell Overture” on his teeth. He loves each and every one of you, in very different ways.
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