Announcing a New Class of KBF Ambassadors

Columbus, OH

Hello Team KBF! My name is Doug Dumas and I live, work, and play in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, my injury happened after surgery to remove a tumor wrapped around my spinal cord went wrong and my cord was severed. I was 8 years old at the time and since then I’ve been a wheelchair user. My journey in adaptive sports began when I learned about wheelchair basketball from a flyer in the hallway of my doctor’s office at age 14. As a lifelong hoop-head, I was immediately hooked. I joined the adult team in my city and never stopped playing. I moved to Columbus right out of high school to attend THE Ohio State University. I’ve also attended Kent State University pursuing a degree in sports administration.

Currently, I work for the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department at the Espy Adaptive Sports Complex. I’m head coach of our juniors wheelchair basketball team, the Columbus Knights. I also coach, administrate, and play for our adult wheelchair basketball team. There is a lot of hard work that goes into being an advocate for people with disabilities in the sports world. Especially at the City and State level. But seeing the growth of our athletes and watching our juniors have fun and take advantage of opportunities that weren’t available to me at their age makes it all worth it. I love being a small part of the adaptive sports community. I consider it a privilege to be a part of Team KBF alongside such amazing people!

Kansas City, MO

My name is Melissa Childers, I currently live in Kansas City, MO, and I am so excited to be chosen as a new ambassador for KBF. On January 4, 2021, I suffered a spinal stroke and essentially “woke up paralyzed” rendering me a T12 paraplegic. Before my spinal stroke I was an avid runner, I was training for my first big 50k trail race at the time. I had an extreme love of hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains. In 2018 I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro for my 40th birthday. I had dreams of one day completing a long trail like the Appalachian or Pacific Crest.

I knew after my injury that I wanted to find a way to get back into the backcountry and other places in nature that I love so much. Nine months after my stroke I made my way out to the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, CO to ride one of their Nuke hand cycles. Just a couple of cranks in and I knew I found what I was looking for. Not only could this adaptive mtn bike get me back to recreating but it would be an awesome way to stay active.

I applied for a KBF grant as soon as I got home and ordered my bike. Since receiving my bike in May of 2023 I’ve ridden 3,000 miles, mostly at home in Kansas City but also some super cool places like Moab, UT, East Burke, VT Kingdom Trails and again several times in Crested Butte, CO. I’ve also started learning how to bi-ski, kayak, paddleboard, play basketball and have attended several bike/ski camps in CB and Telluride. I love attending adaptive sports camps so I can meet new people in my wheelchair community, trade stories with others and make lasting friendships. Getting involved in the adaptive sports community has given me purpose, direction and goals to crush. I hope to use this platform to encourage others with an SCI that they can do the same.

Chicago, IL

My name is Jamaal Johnson, and I’m proud to be a new Kelly Brush Foundation Ambassador. My journey into the adaptive sports community began after a life-changing car accident in 2014 that left me an L4-L5 paraplegic. At the time, I was a college student at Chicago State University, balancing two jobs and pursuing my dream of earning a degree in business. Despite the challenges, I returned to school after just one semester of rehab and graduated a year later—walking across the stage in KAFO leg braces to receive my Bachelor of Science in Business.

Before my injury, basketball was my passion. I was raised in the game under legendary coach Gene Pingatore at St. Joseph High School, a nationally recognized basketball program. Competing as an IHSA three-point contest qualifier helped shape my competitive spirit and work ethic—qualities that still drive me today.

After my injury, I found a new sense of purpose through adaptive sports. I’ve played with the Chicago Skyhawks and Hornets wheelchair basketball teams and discovered hand cycling through the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, where I learned about the Kelly Brush Foundation. In 2023, I received a Force RX handcycle through the Active Fund and have since competed in multiple half marathons, finishing with record times.

Becoming a Kelly Brush Foundation Ambassador is an incredible honor. I’m passionate about empowering others with spinal cord injuries to live active, fulfilling lives. Through adaptive sports, I’ve found community, motivation, and lifelong friendships—and I’m committed to helping others experience that same sense of purpose and possibility.