DJ
Re-discovering the Athlete Inside
A spinal cord injury left high school athlete DJ partially paralyzed and depressed. Despite months in the hospital and countless hours of therapy DJ went home using a wheelchair. A year later DJ was introduced to the Hospital for Special Care Adaptive Sports program and discovered that the athlete inside was still very much intact and ready to compete. He did so well at his first regional track and field meet that he earned a spot on the Hospital for Special Care team headed to nationals. He set new records in shot-put, discus and javelin. Selected to participate in the International Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports World Championships in 2018, DJ continued to shine and to earn medals for Team USA.
Adaptive sports helped DJ build strength, confidence and self-esteem. Now he shares those gifts with youth paying forward the support, friendship and encouragement he found when he joined the Adaptive Sports family.
DJ plans to compete in the Paralympics and set new world records. He’s thinking big these days – and what could be better than that?