Hector and Kerry make up a dynamic racing team as they work together to complete a 50-mile cycling race through the Florida Keys. But racing isn’t the only thing these two have in common. Both have suffered grave injuries in the past.
Hector was an electrician who was electrocuted from a failed substation transformer. His entire right arm and half of his left arm were amputated as a result of his injuries. And Kerry was a reporter covering the Vietnam War when she was interviewing a Green Beret who had a flashback and mistakenly thought she was a Viet Cong and strangled her. The attack left Kerry a quadriplegic with neurological damage.
Hector and Kerry’s paths crossed nearly a decade ago when they began taking part in the same races. Hector races using modified handlebars on his bike, and Kerry races by being pushed or pulled in a specially outfitted buggy.
The duo teamed up in the hope of turning heads – and turning attention toward the organizations both are involved with. Hector is the founder of Don’tStopLiving.org and Kerry is the co-founder of Thumbs Up! Both organizations aim at assisting people living with disabilities, something both Hector and Kerry know well.
Both athletes say they have dealt with feelings of despair early on after their injuries, but both found ways to turn their lives around – something they want to help others achieve.
“Early on it was, ‘God, why me, I was a good guy, why’d this happen to me?” shares Hector. He credits his young daughter with being the catalyst that brought him out of his despair. “But I realized I had a 1-year-old daughter and she needed a dad, and that’s what got me going early on. And after that, it just steamrolled into today.”
Kerry also shares the difficulties she faced in the past, especially when it came to being angry about her circumstances.
“I realized my anger was depleting my energy, and I needed that energy to survive.”
Independently, Hector and Kerry gained control of their lives and began pushing forward in a positive direction. And while others might think they’re being brave, Kerry puts their journeys into perspective:
It’s a constant struggle, every day, every minute. … People say, ‘You’ve been such a brave person.’ I haven’t. I just have no choice.”
Hector and Kerry have completed two races together, and hope to continue teaming up in the future for more events!
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