Meet Adaptive Athlete: Teresa Barkley

Teresa grew up in Hamilton, Ohio. She is the second oldest of nine siblings in a large, energetic family that used the outdoors as their playground. With seven brothers and limited resources, she learned early how to be tough, active, and resourceful. She fell in love with dirt biking and swimming, and in high school found a passion for cheerleading for the athleticism, friendship, and sense of community it provided. Teresa later earned a degree in Family and Consumer Science from Miami University of Ohio and became a certified K-6 teacher, dedicating her career to helping young minds grow.

 

On March 27, 2021, Teresa was a patron in a hair salon when a car crashed into the building, pinning her for 29 minutes between the vehicle, a cabinet, and a wall. The incident left her with a severe crush injury to her right foot and caused years of chronic pain and surgeries. After trying every available option - including an ankle replacement - she made the decision to amputate in February 2024. While she expected challenges, the emotional toll of a difficult prosthetic fitting, repeated injuries, and slow progress left her questioning her decision. It wasn’t until a revision surgery and the help of a new prosthetist later that year that she finally began regaining her independence and hope.

 

Now, Teresa has set her sights on completing another 5K or even a sprint triathlon, and dreams of skiing, skydiving, and hiking again. She also wants to inspire children with disabilities, showing them that adaptation does not mean limitation. After four years of personal counseling, she says she’s the most mentally healthy and joyful she’s ever been and ready to pay it forward. As a member of ATF Class 34, Teresa hopes to continue healing, embrace the power of community, and prove through her actions that while life is hard, we each get to choose how we face it.