Meet Adaptive Athlete: Lesley Sandoval

Les is from Fredericksburg, Texas and was raised by her father. She grew up as a tomboy, enjoying fishing and hunting. After high school, she enlisted in the Army and deployed to Kuwait in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While on deployment, she began experiencing chronic debilitating pain and months later was diagnosed with Crohn’s colitis.

 

The illness resulted in extreme weight fluctuation over the years along with chronic pain and debilitating fatigue. Les would struggle with depression while she was very ill and bedridden. In 2017, Les was in a near death state and had to get her colon removed. Doing so improved her condition significantly and now she lives with a permanent ostomy.

 

Since her surgery, Les has a renewed gratitude and newfound hope for the second chance on life she’s been given. During her time at ATF, Les is looking to push past the physical and mental limits she has placed on herself. She plans to compete in a fitness competition and show others in her community that they are not defined by disabilities or illnesses.