SANCHEZ Jorge

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (teamusa.org, 26 Aug 2018)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (teamusa.org, 26 Aug 2018)

Impairment Details
At age eight he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in his left femur. After undergoing a number of surgeries and chemotherapy he decided to have his left leg amputated above the knee in 2000. (teamusa.org, 26 Aug 2018; makeachamp.com, 2016)

General
COACH ADVICE
After he attended the University of Texas in Arlington, TX, United States of America, on a full scholarship to play wheelchair basketball, his coach advised him to focus if he ever wanted to make the national team. "[Making the national team] had been my goal since I first started, but I didn't really think I would get there. I was overweight and never really took basketball too seriously, until my third year of college. My coach had a serious talk with me, and I thank him a lot for making me realise my potential." (teamusa.org, 17 Aug 2018)

POST-SURGERY PROBLEMS
After he had his left leg amputated in August 2000 he began to have complications with his surgery. He was in a coma for three months after he had an amputation dehiscence [reopening of his wound] where he continued to have multiple surgeries, complications and chemotherapy. Since he has been in remission he continues to see his doctor every six months. "I went through a total of 22 surgeries, a year and a half of chemo and multiple blood transfusions. I am now cancer free and living my life to the fullest." (makeachamp.com, 2016)