Sam Cila, the Multisport Soldier

Good Day New York's Dr. Sapna Parikh is telling the incredible story of a former solider who overcame all odds to become a competitor against some of the world's best athletes.

Sam Cila, from Riverhead, Long Island, served in Iraq in 2005 when he was wounded by shrapnel from an explosion. As a result, his left hand had to be amputated. With determination, perseverance, and the use of a state-of-the-art prosthetic hand Cila was able to fulfill his dream of being a competitive athlete.

"Another turning point in my life came when I was told about an organization called Operation Rebound," Cila says on his Web site. "This program is run by Challenged Athletes Foundation in hopes to give others with permanent disabilities the opportunities to heal through multi sports. Since I've been sponsored by Operation Rebound I have competed in events all over the country including numerous sprint, Olympic and Ironman 70.3 distance triathlons."

• CILA'S WEB SITE
  
• OPERATION REBOUND