Louisiana Native Brenna Huckaby Finds Healing in Snowboarding After Losing Leg to Cancer

The three-time Paralympic gold medalist overcame skepticism to discover her passion and become one of the world's best snowboarders.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Brenna Huckaby, a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, never dreamed of becoming a snowboarder. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 14 and having her right leg amputated, Huckaby struggled to find her identity and regain her confidence. However, a life-changing trip to Utah a year later introduced her to snowboarding, which she immediately fell in love with. Over the next decade and a half, Huckaby has become one of the best snowboarders in the world, winning four Paralympic medals, including three golds, and 10 medals at World Championship events. She is now preparing for her third appearance at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan, where she could break the record for the most-decorated female Paralympic snowboarder.

Why it matters

Huckaby's story is an inspiring example of how finding a passion and pursuing it can help someone heal and regain their confidence after a life-altering event. Her journey also highlights the power of supportive family members, as her mother made the decision to uproot the family and move to Utah so Huckaby could continue developing her snowboarding skills. Huckaby's success in the sport has also brought attention to the Paralympic movement and the incredible athletes who compete in it.

The details

After her cancer diagnosis and amputation, Huckaby struggled to find her identity and regain her confidence. A year later, she was invited to join a rehabilitation ski trip to Utah, where she discovered her love for snowboarding. Despite initial skepticism from organizers, Huckaby insisted on trying the sport, and she immediately fell in love with it. Over the next 15 years, Huckaby honed her skills, eventually becoming one of the best snowboarders in the world. Her mother, Kristie, played a crucial role in her journey, relocating the family to Utah so Huckaby could continue developing her skills in the sport.

  • At 14 years old, Huckaby was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, which led to the amputation of her right leg.
  • A year after her amputation, Huckaby went on a rehabilitation ski trip to Utah, where she discovered her love for snowboarding.
  • Huckaby is now preparing for her third appearance at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan, where she could break the record for the most-decorated female Paralympic snowboarder.

The players

Brenna Huckaby

A 30-year-old native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is a three-time U.S. Paralympic gold medalist in snowboarding.

Kristie Huckaby

Brenna Huckaby's mother, who made the decision to relocate the family to Utah so her daughter could continue developing her snowboarding skills.

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What they’re saying

“The moment that you strapped into the snowboard and you could actually go down the hill, it was like this light was back in your eyes again. She used to say, 'I had my Brenna back, the Brenna before cancer.' And she would do anything to keep that there.”

— Kristie Huckaby, Brenna Huckaby's mother

“For [my mom], it was so that I could heal from cancer. But for me deep down, I had heard about the Paralympics and I was like, 'Okay, I like to be the best at everything I do. How can I be the best in snowboarding? Oh, the Paralympics are a thing? I'm going to do that.'”

— Brenna Huckaby

What’s next

Brenna Huckaby is preparing to compete in the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan, where she could break the record for the most-decorated female Paralympic snowboarder.

The takeaway

Brenna Huckaby's inspiring journey from a cancer diagnosis and amputation to becoming one of the world's best snowboarders demonstrates the power of finding a passion and pursuing it, even in the face of adversity. Her story also highlights the crucial role of supportive family members in helping someone heal and achieve their dreams.