Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
July 29, 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Noelle Lambert of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month for her work to provide amputees, like herself, with specialized prosthetics.
Noelle, a lifelong athlete, was recruited to play Division 1 lacrosse at UMass Lowell. In her freshman year, Noelle was in a moped accident that severed her left leg, but she did not let this accident stop her from finishing out her college lacrosse career.
With the help of nonprofit organizations, Noelle received a specialized prosthetic for running that allowed her to continue competing. This inspired Noelle to start her own nonprofit, the Born to Run Foundation, which helps other children and young adult amputees in need of specialized prosthetics. Already, the Born to Run Foundation has donated specialized prosthetics to 14 individuals.
If her work leading Born to Run wasn’t enough, Noelle is also a world-class athlete and national record holder who qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Team and is competing at the Tokyo Paralympics in the 100-meter dash in the T63 division.
Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.
See below for Senator Hassan’s statement to the Congressional Record honoring Noelle Lambert of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month.
Ms. HASSAN. M. President, I am proud to recognize Noelle Lambert of Manchester as July’s Granite Stater of the Month. Noelle is a Paralympic athlete who founded the Born to Run Foundation, which helps young people who have lost a limb achieve their dreams by providing them with specialized prosthetics.
A lifelong athlete, Noelle was recruited to play Division 1 lacrosse at UMass Lowell. In her freshman year, Noelle was in a moped accident that severed her left leg.
Noelle did not let this devastating accident stop her from finishing out her college lacrosse career. With the help of nonprofit organizations, Noelle received a specialized prosthetic for running that allowed her to continue competing. A specialized prosthetic like the one Noelle needs can cost up to $50,000 and is rarely covered by insurance, so the help Noelle received from these charities was essential in her return to competition.
Inspired by the nonprofits who helped her compete at an elite collegiate level, and determined that others in need of prosthetics receive the help that they need, Noelle started her own nonprofit to help other children and young adult amputees.
Already, the Born to Run Foundation has donated specialized prosthetics to 14 individuals, including one as young as four years old. With the assistance of prosthetics provided by Born to Run, individuals have been able to run, weightlift, or simply take a walk on the beach again.
If her work leading Born to Run wasn’t enough, Noelle is also a world-class athlete and national record holder who qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Team and is competing at the Tokyo Paralympics in the 100-meter dash in the T63 division.
Noelle’s grit, perseverance, and compassion for others represent the best of the Granite State. Her ability to turn a traumatic experience into an opportunity to help others is an inspiration to us all, and I am honored to recognize her.
###