Kiland Sampa Gives Back

After an injury that left Kiland Sampa paralyzed from the chest down, the young athlete gives back in the same hospital that guided his own recovery by volunteering his time to help children embrace life with a disability.

Growing up in a tennis family, Sampa naturally picked up the sport of tennis at a young age. His grandmother, a very talented tennis player herself, taught youth tennis and greatly influenced Sampa’s tennis career.

Sampa spent many summers at St. Louis’ Dwight Davis Tennis Center competing in USTA junior tournaments. He went on to play as one of Parkway North High School’s star singles and doubles players and his tennis talents played an instrumental role in the Vikings tennis program’s success.  

His life would change dramatically in the summer of 2013, when he traveled to Indianapolis for the MIDTAC tennis tournament. After a long day of tournament match play, he went for a swim at the hotel pool—a swim that would change his life forever. He dove in and hit his head on the bottom of the pool, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. 

Sampa spent months at the Ranken Jordan Hospital, receiving intense therapy and counseling to help him regain strength and adapt to life in a wheelchair.

Sampa was able to move his arms after extensive physical therapy and treatment, but he experienced difficulty gripping the tennis racket. However, a Ranken Jordan physical therapist solved Sampa’s problem by taping his hand to the racket.

Sampa was eventually released to go home, but he never forgot about Ranken Jordan and how they helped him embrace his new life with a disability. Sampa now pays it forward by giving back to the hospital, speaking to other kids who are dealing with major disabilities of their own.

Once a week, he spends his time at the hospital with patients, sharing his experiences from when he was a patient in 2013. The Ranken Jordan patients love Sampa as a friend and a role model because he’s always there as a support for them, encouraging them and putting smiles on their faces. 

“Why be sad and depressed, when you have the ability to live life and be happy?” said Sampa.

Alongside his time spent volunteering and on the tennis court, Sampa is on a career path to become a Recreational Therapist and aspires to work at the Ranken Jordan Hospital.

Along with tennis, Sampa is also pursuing an athletic career path in Wheelchair Rugby and has set a goal of making it to the Paralympics.

Sampa is a young man who has turned his setback into a comeback and continues to give back to the St. Louis community.   

The USTA is dedicated to providing top-flight programming and developmental opportunities to wheelchair athletes of all ages and backgrounds. Learn about about USTA wheelchair tennis opportunities.