Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I went to college to study theatre and now have a degree in Technology and Design for Theatre with a focus in Stage Management.

What does living an active lifestyle mean to you? Living an active lifestyle means that you are actively thinking about your health and longevity as you go about your day. Being physically active, eating right, and practicing mindfulness are key after a spinal cord injury.

What is something people don’t know about living in a wheelchair? Most folks see someone in a wheelchair and think they can’t walk. If people learn more about spinal cord injury and other disabilities then people realize there is much more to being in a chair than not being able to ambulate.

Why did you want a racing chair? I wanted a racer because I know it will keep me entertained and active. I’ll be able to push my boundaries physically and get a great cardio workout, which is a rarity for folks in chairs. I hope to compete in races in the future.

Best experience using your racer? The wind against my face while speeding downhill is a wonderful feeling.

What has the KBF grant meant to you? The KBF grant really means a lot because being physically active in a chair is a challenge. You have to adapt many sports and physical activities and usually that requires an expensive piece of sporting equipment. Receiving a grant really helps to unload the financial burden that many wheelchair users face when trying new sports.

What is the best piece of advice you have gotten? Failure is the only way to achieve greatness.

Any tips/tricks for someone who is new to a wheelchair/adaptive sports? Being in a wheelchair is scary for most people because it is a completely different way of living that your are thrown into, usually after a traumatic event. Don’t be afraid to fall. You will learn to get back up again and with practice and perserverence anything is possible.

Any final thoughts? Many thanks to the Kelly Brush Foundation and all of its donors and supporters. Keep Pushing.