User:~riley/Patty Cisneros

Patty Cisneros (born 12 November 1977) is an American wheelchair basketball player.

Early life
Patty Cisneros was born in Lake Station, Indiana on 12 November 1977, and she began playing basketball in the third grade. She described her parents as being her biggest influence, and said that they are "excited for the opportunities that [she] was given." After graduating from River Forest High School in 1996, a car accident at the age of 18 left her legs paralyzed. Shortly thereafter, Cisneros began playing wheelchair basketball in her physical therapy program. In 2000, Cisneros graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and then went to the University of Illinois and earned a master's degree in education.

Competitive career
In 1997, Cisneros began to play wheelchair basketball competitively, and was selected to join her first national team in 1999.

Personal life
Cisneros works as the head coach of the women's wheelchair basketball team at the University of Illinois.

Recognition
In 2008, Cisneros was nominated for the Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award. She was also nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year Award by the Women's Sport Foundation.