#136- Noah Currier: A Tragic Accident, Wheelchair Rugby, Oscar Mike

“He who sheds blood with me shall forever be my brother”

This is the first quote that Noah Currier printed on a t-shirt and also the motto which he lives by.

Noah was one year in the military when Sept 11th happened. He did two only to return home and have his life turned upside down. Three days after he returned home uninjured from war, he was in an automobile accident that paralyzed him from the neck down. Six months later he lost his fiancé, the love of his life the exact same way he lost his ability to walk. For years he suffered from severe depression, frequent thoughts of suicide and was lost in a downward spiral. Another injured veteran encouraged him to participate in adaptive sports. He finally agreed and the decision would positively change his life forever.

Noah immediately realized that staying physically active was a game changer and he wanted the same for other injured veterans. He officially started Oscar Mike, the cleverly named organization which is military radio jargon for On the Move. Through public donations, the sales of apparel, along with private funding and corporate donations, Oscar Mike successfully supports hundreds of injured veterans each year.

Wheelchair Rugby - His Passion

Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed team sport for male and female quadriplegic athletes. A unique sport created by athletes with a disability, it combines elements of rugby, basketball and handball. Players compete in teams of four to carry the ball across the opposing team's goal line. Contact between wheelchairs is permitted, and is in fact an integral part of the sport as players use their chairs to block and hold opponents. Wheelchair Rugby is a Paralympic sport, with twenty-six countries competing in international competition and more than ten others developing national programs.

Oscar Mike has the only all-veteran team in the country - The Oscar Mike Militia - and they are the current hosts of the annual National Wheelchair Rugby Tournament which is the pinnacle event for the sport.

I truly hope that you all enjoy this episode it was a pleasure having Noah on the show!