Hometown: Harding, Pa.
“Rather than fear the storm ahead, learn to dance in the rain.”
That’s the quote Stephanie Jallen tries to live by as she doesn’t let herself hold back from fear of the unknown.
Jallen grew up in Harding, Pa. and attends school at the Wyoming Area Secondary Center. Seven years ago, she was introduced to skiing by the Pennsylvania Center for Adaptive Sports while visiting Camelback, a mountain near her hometown. There, she met Mau Thompson, with whom she trained with and helped her enter multiple NorAm races. Jallen placed in both the junior and open class divisions.
Thompson also helped Jallen get involved with the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team, where she will continue to race in NorAm races while also focusing on World Cup races and the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi.
Outside of skiing, Jallen likes to hike, ride ATVs and, fittingly playing in the rain. She’ll do anything to get outside and enjoy herself.
She was born with a rare birth defect called CHILD Syndrome, which left her entire left side under-developed. This left Jallen with only a right arm and leg.