At age 19, Cliff Meidl survived an electric shock that prompted doctors to say they should amputate his legs above the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But his mom did some research, and found Dr. Malcolm Lesavoy, a plastic surgeon and clinical professor of plastic surgery at UCLA School of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lesavoy found a way to save Meidl\u2019s legs, and ten years later, in 1996, Meidl competed in the Olympics as a kayaker. At the 2000 Olympics, Meidl was chosen by other Olympians to carry the flag during the opening ceremonies, a huge honor. In this interview, Meidl describes how he overcame adversity by building his confidence and focusing on the assets he had–rather than those he had lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n