John was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) while serving in the US Army. When it became difficult for him to walk, he was given a wheelchair for mobility.
The diagnosis combined with the introduction of a wheelchair is what John calls his ‘Boom’ moment:
“Everybody in life has something, some kind of traumatic event, whether it be an illness or an injury, or maybe some form of abuse … and everything that they knew – their normal – is now gone. You have a chance to inspire others by what comes of that.”
John’s outlet after his ‘Boom’ was adaptive sports. He became involved in the Warrior Games, a US military competition similar to the Paralympics. He’s competed in hand cycling, wheelchair racing, and rifle, and has taken home three metals in shooting. “I didn’t know anything about these sports before my ‘Boom,’” recalls John.
Now John regularly participates in adaptive sports and has formed lasting relationships with others.
“For me, MS has provided me an avenue. I would never be doing the things I’m doing today if it wasn’t for being diagnosed with MS.”