Norwich — It's the little things, Maura Sanchi says. The little things. Things that are all but invisible to many of us. The little things. Like tying a shoe.

But then, this is what Tim Menard, her fencing coach at Norwich Free Academy, says about Sanchi, who was born with one hand, yet still fences and swims:

"People are attracted to her because of her personality. Very quickly liked," Menard was saying. "She never, ever asks for help. She always figures out a way."

Yes.

This.

She always figures out a way.

And when you meet Sanchi, it's not the hand or the arm you notice. It's the magnetic personality. The outlook. It's as if through a smile, she radiates, "hey, we all have our stuff to deal with. Manure occureth. So figure out a way."

And Sanchi, a junior, has figured out a way to fence and swim. She can put her hair up. She even knits. With one hand.

"I know it probably sounds silly, but something that I'm really proud of being able to do is put my hair up," Sanchi said. "When I was younger, I used to have to take time in the morning for my mom to do it. I'm more proud of the simple things I can adjust to. Trying to learn how to tie your shoe, or even cut something and keep it steady."

It's almost a cliché here to suggest that Sanchi is inspirational. Except that she is, even if she doesn't necessarily believe it.

"I get that they mean it in an endearing way. But to me, it's an everyday thing. I've lived with it all my life," Sanchi said. "I'm usually surprised, especially when people who hardly know me tell me that I'm inspirational. The way I see it, everyone has their own obstacles that they have to overcome.

"The only difference," she said, "is that before someone even knows me, they assume that my arm is my obstacle. But I don't view it that way. Some people struggle internally every day but if they didn't tell you, you'd never know it. I guess I just find it shocking when someone tells me I inspire them because I'm just living my life and handling my circumstances like anyone else would."

Read that again: Some people struggle internally every day. But if they didn't tell you, you'd never know it. True, true. Maybe that's the difference with Sanchi and everyone else. Her "struggle" is a physical trait. Yet how many others live their lives struggling internally, but can mask it because it's not easily seen?

"I notice it more in kids," Sanchi said. "I think adults are taught not to stare and they do it subtly. With kids, it's funny. They say, 'oh, I could never do that.' The other day at the store, there was a kid who was kind of amazed. 'I don't know how you could live like that. I use two hands to play with my mom's phone.' It's kind of funny to hear how they think it would affect them."

Imagine what the kids would say if they learned Sanchi swims for the Wildcats, too.

"I had a friend who was on the swim team and she told me I should join. I was kind of shocked at first. We'd be doing strokes in my own pool and I was kind of going crooked a little," Sanchi said.

"I contacted the coach (Cory Tubbs) and told her my situation. I said I'd like to try if you think it's doable. She said, 'not a problem.' Especially from her, I didn't get special treatment. It was 'get in the pool and swim.' I had to make certain adjustments. She noticed I was kicking more to compensate."

Menard, a former Norwich police officer, stays around kids all day. He's part of the school security team at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London. A good guy? Try this: He plans to start a fencing program there to eventually help the program at New London High, a competitor of NFA.

And clearly, Sanchi is among his favorite subjects.

"There was never a doubt she'd be good at (fencing)," he said. "She showed up as a novice. No exposure. But in the first week, we're doing introductory stuff and she was clearly driven to learn. I knew she'd be good at this. She's the best kid. I wish I had five of her every year."

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.