Daily Inspiration: Meet Amberley Snyder

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amberley Snyder.

Hi Amberley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
I was born in California as the second to six kids. I am extremely blessed with the family that I have. I tell people I had the perfect mixture of parental guidance to create us kinds. My dad was a major league baseball player, so he knew what it took to be the best. He taught us kids hard work and dedication. My mom taught us to believe in ourselves and to be compassionate. Between them both, they have created 6 extremely talented, determined, hardworking kids with great hair, I might add! 

I have loved horses as long as I can remember. I started riding at 3 and rodeo at 7. That passion just grew as I continued to grow up!!! 

On January 10th, 2010, Amberley was on her way to the Denver Stock Show and Rodeo. As she was passing through Sinclair, WY she took a look down at her map. After only seconds she looked up and realized she had faded into the other lane, headed towards a metal beam. In an effort to get back in her lane, Amberley overcorrected. Her truck slid off the road and rolled, and she was ejected from the vehicle. She was slammed into a fence post that broke her back, and immediately, she lost feeling in her legs. 

After five hours of emergency surgery, the doctor’s prognosis was that she would never regain use or feeling below her waist. He told her if she had worn her seatbelt, she would still have use of her legs. The one mistake she made that day changed her life forever, but it has not defeated her competitive spirit. The top priority for Amberley was not even to walk, but to ride her horses again. Remarkably after only 4 months after the accident, she was back on her horse.” 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Small goals, of course. It was too hard to take on the big things to start with. I learned that quickly. Over the years, I have learned to appreciate small victories. There is never an accomplishment too small to celebrate!!! 

Lots of challenges, down days, and frustration with a chair. I realize those will always be around, so sometimes I let myself get upset or mad. I think that is part of the process. You need to feel the bad to really enjoy the good. 

Hang in there. Don’t be afraid to get help. The help allows you to do more!!! Take moments along the way to see how far you have come. And don’t worry, you will win again. 

I don’t ever wake up and say I am thankful for the chair or that it is better than walking. I don’t expect myself to ever say that either. If I could walk today, I would. But it is possible to find happiness. And I truly believe with hard work you have the ability to do so much. I cannot guarantee it will be the same or as good, but you can still thrive!!! The life in a chair is not easy, but I do promise you can get stronger to handle so much of it. Keep up the fight!!! 

Every day is hard. Learning to be patient is the hardest. With myself, my Body, my horses, my help, or even the weather. That is something I have to continue to work through a lot. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a keynote speaker. I am lucky enough to travel around the country and even internationally sharing my story. I love what I do and am very thankful God directed this path for me. 

I am most proud of changing lives or even saving lives by just doing my best. In the rodeo world, I am most proud of making Wilderness Circuit Finals 2 years so far. 

I would hope people. See me as someone who doesn’t give up or give in. Life is going to throw challenges at all of us; we truly can only control how we handle them. 

They actually approached me. When the producers first wanted to do a movie, I said no. I felt like my family had been through enough the first time around. My parents felt like it would be a benefit, so we did it. 

I was able to be a part of the script writing, filming, and postproduction. They did a really good job with the message, no doubt!! I would give them about 85% accuracy on it!!! 

It has been incredible since it came out. I never thought people in other countries or even outside of the horse world would know me, but they do. I am so thankful my story can be a beacon of light for so many now!!! 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Cherish every moment. You never know when a small experience or encounter, or accomplishment might become a favorite one along your journey. 

Spend time with people you love. You can never have more time, so use it wisely. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Amberleysnyder.org
• Instagram: Amberley Snyder
• Facebook: Amberleylanasnyder
• Youtube: Amberleysnyder

Image Credits
Lauren Anderson