Katy Sullivan - Warming Up for the race

About Us

About Katy SullivanYeah! I just won the 100M Race at the U.S. Paralympic Championships in Florida on June 18, 2011. Now I am ready to represent Team USA in the World Games in London, England in 2012! Look for my new video from the 2011 NBC Diversity Showcase. It is in my Press Room. I was born without legs and have worn prosthetic legs all of my life. I was raised in Alabama and spent my early years trying to be just like my siblings, flipping around in gymnastics and practicing three times a week with the local swim team. Sports became frustrating because it was hard for me to keep up with the other kids so I turned all of my energy into becoming an actor. My performing career has taken me all over the country. I have worked on stage in Chicago, in movies in New York, on different television series in Los Angeles, and even had the opportunity to sing at the 1996 Olympic opening ceremonies in Atlanta. Moving to Los Angeles in 2004 brought me not only tremendous opportunity with acting but it also brought me the blessing of meeting Will Yule at Hanger Prosthetics. I was gifted a pair of running legs from Hanger, and a new chapter in my life was created. Through the generous support of Hanger Prosthetics and Ossur, I received custom made running legs built especially for my body. In my new carbon fiber sprinting legs, I began to compete at a higher level and started to excel in the competitive world of physically challenged track and field. When I was a child I saw a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at a local theatre in Alabama. One of the girls in the play attended my school, and before the play was over I decided that I was going to be an actor. I spent the next ten years doing anything in the theatre from building sets to stage management – just to be involved in the process. I was cast in numerous plays and even in a singing group that performed at the opening ceremonies at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. I decided to get my degree in theatre and I went to a fantastic conservatory in the Midwest where I blossomed as an actress. My favorite time at school was when I was cast in the starring role in Hedda Gabbler. Upon graduating, I was given a job at the prestigious Goodman Theatre in Chicago. I worked in theatres throughout the Windy City before deciding to relocate to Los Angeles. Working in television, movies and independent films in Los Angeles keeps me very busy. Recently, I appeared on the television series “My Name Is Earl” on NBC, and starred in an independent film, which is now on the film festival circuit. When I was young my parents were very worried about me when I told them I was going to be an actor, however, I set my mind to it and became successful at what I love doing. My Motto is and always will be: “If you believe in what you are doing and you want to do it, go for it, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it." Since there are no other bilateral above knee women competing at this time, I have to compete against women who have one sound leg and one amputated leg above the knee. A video is here: http://www.youtube.com/chattymac