Bailey Moody was 10-years-old when she lost her right leg to stage 4 osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Undeterred, the Atlanta, Georgia native proved resilient, transitioning her love for playing basketball to doing so from a wheelchair.
Now a freshman psychology major at The University of Alabama, Moody is excelling both on the court and in the classroom with the aid of an Adapted Athletics scholarship.
“This scholarship lets me maximize the amount of time I’m spending in college and get the degree I want without putting that financial stress on my family,” Moody said. “I can use this time that UA’s giving me to not only play basketball, but to go to school.”
Moody’s scholarship covers five years of education, which she hopes will allow her to maximize her academic time in order to earn a master’s degree as well.
“I have pretty lofty academic goals,” she said. “My goal career-wise is to get my psychology degree, my MBA and maybe my doctoral degree in counseling. I’d like to work with disabled athletes and counsel children, but also experience travel and public speaking.”
Along with being a member of UA’s Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team, Moody said the Adapted Athletics scholarship has given her more freedom to become an active member of campus and a well-rounded student-athlete.
“COVD-19 schooling has been difficult, because as a freshman, I came in not knowing anybody,” Moody said. “But, I’ve gotten involved in student ministry organizations and churches.”
Moody’s scholarship has also provided her with the financial independence to allow her to continue training for the 2020 Paralympic Games, which were scheduled to be held in Tokyo before being postponed due to COVID-19. She is the youngest wheelchair basketball player to make the team, further demonstrating her determination to succeed.
“I strive to work my hardest and do my best in everything, whether it’s easy or not,” she said. “My motivation for success is just taking it one step at a time and doing my best in every single step to accomplish the goals I have for myself.” Moody has many plans for her next five years at UA, determined to accomplish all she can in every aspect of her life.