Growing up in Zanesville, Ohio, she learned to adapt movements that weren’t originally designed for athletes with her physical differences. Flips, bars and floor routines required creativity, balance and techniques that were uniquely her own.

And she kept getting better.

As a child, Paige began competing at state and national events, earning medals and trophies along the way. 🏅

Her journey eventually attracted attention far beyond her hometown. In 2024, she was invited to Minneapolis during the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials for a Gymnastics for All event, where she performed alongside athletes with disabilities and demonstrated how gymnastics can be adapted for different bodies.

Her story was also featured in the documentary Built Different, while videos of her performances reached audiences around the world.

But Paige’s journey eventually took another turn.

As the physical demands of compeтιтive gymnastics increased, she made the difficult decision in 2025, at age 14, to step away from compeтιтion.

She didn’t walk away from sports, though.

Paige went on to participate in school activities including cheer, swimming, basketball and football. She also returned to her longtime gymnastics gym in a different role.

❤️ Her story isn’t simply about learning to compete without legs. It’s about finding a way to keep moving forward when the path changes.

👉 Source: Paralympics — Paige Calendine profile and stories