Amy was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she grew up with a deep-rooted sense that her life would have a purpose that would have an impact on others. An avid snowboarder and wakeboarder, Amy developed a love for physical fitness and outdoor activities.

At age 19, Amy's life took an alternate path. After experiencing flu-like symptoms for about 24 hours, she was rushed to the hospital in a state of septic shock. En route to the hospital, Amy experienced respiratory and multiple organ failure. These factors, combined with a blood condition called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), in which the blood becomes extremely thin and creates microscopic blood clots, caused Amy to lose circulation to her feet, hands, nose, ears, and kidneys, and caused her lungs and adrenal glands to hemorrhage. Miraculously, her heart and brain were unaffected. After 32 blood transfusions and removal of her ruptured spleen, doctors diagnosed Amy with Bacterial Meningitis. Following this, Amy was in a coma for more than three weeks, and doctors gave her less then a two-percent chance of survival. Due to the lack of circulation she had suffered at the beginning of her ordeal, doctors had to amputate her legs below the knee miraculously her other extremities regained their circulation and escaped amputation.

Almost two years later Amy participated in Nevada's first "Laparoscopic" Kidney Transplant surgery receiving a kidney from her father. She was the first person in Las Vegas in more than 20 years to contract Neisseria meningitis and survive. After going through this life-altering trauma, Amy challenged herself to move on with her life and not only regain some sense of "normalcy," but also attain goals that even people who have both legs struggle to achieve.Through a sponsorship from Ohio Willow Wood leg manufacturer she received a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), which allowed her to travel to various snowboarding competitions in the US. Just weeks after her kidney transplant, Amy entered the USASA national snowboarding competition, where she won medals in three events.

In 2003 Amy spent most of her time in San Diego, CA which opened several doors for her in the modeling and acting industry. February of that year Amy played a runway model in a music video for Madonna, who reportedly took a personal interest in Amy, coaching her through her video role and commenting on her amazing spirit. Adding to her challenges and accomplishments in May of 2004 Amy landed the lead female role in the independent film “What's Bugging Seth”. Amy played a below knee amputee "Alma" who finds herself in a messy love triangle but emerges stronger at the end. The film has traveled to various film festivals, nationally and internationally winning many awards along the way.

Amy has modeled for various photography projects, including Freedom Innovations "Runway" prosthetic foot ads and she was featured in the first edition of Fugue Magazine" (Fugue is an art, culture, and music magazine). Currently she is working with top snowboard photographer Ian Ruhter on a large traveling photography show that will exhibit photos of top disabled action sports athletes including Amy. She has been featured in numerous magazines including the September 07 issue of “Women's Health Magazine” and a four page spread in "Her Sports" Magazine. Amy also recently was featured on The Entertainment Tonight "Insider" which focused on her acting and modeling career. After the “Insider” aired Amy was contacted by the National Meningitis Association asking her to come on board as a spokesperson for the organization. In August 2007 Amy did 22 television and radio interviews on behalf of the NMA promoting the Meningitis vaccination for middle school and highschool students. Recently Amy has been contacted by Ellen Show and The Oprah Show. 

Amy's most significant accomplish to date is in the creation and development of the action sport athletic organization; Adaptive Action Sports. In 2005 Amy and her partner Daniel Gale founded the non-profit organization to help adaptive athletes get involved with action sports, art and music. Amy and Daniel realized the lack of resources and support for athletes like herself who related to X-Games style sports rather than Olympic style sports. Outside of competing herself, in 2008 Amy will organize and run the first all female adaptive snowboard camp the “Luna Sessions” and will help AAS develop the first US Adaptive Snowboard Team. Amy has played a significant role in the action sport movement within the disabled community, and plans to continue challenging herself with her athletic and artistic passions while helping others do the same. This is a true testament to Amy's Spirit.