Redefining Disability

Debra Freed enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 23. She became a jet engine mechanic with assignments in Maine and Japan. She saw a promo for wheelchair bowling at the 2004 National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Though she had never bowled in her life, she was like why not? She has now been selected for Para Team USA's International Bowling Federation's World Cup to be held in Hong Kong in January 2025.

rank Goebel II is a military veteran who served 11 years in a National Guard infantry unit. He’s been a bowler all of his life, becoming fascinated with the sport by age 5. He competed in high school, college, and as a league bowler. When he was 30, a neurological condition got worse and he uses a wheelchair most of the time to assist with everyday mobility. But the day he got his wheelchair, he went back to the bowling enter that night. He is currently secretary of the American Wheelchair Bowling Association.

Sam Schaefer injured his foot during an Air Force training exercise. After 9 years of pain, he opted for amputation to get his quality of life back. He is now a personal trainer, fitness coach, and small business owner who enjoys kickboxing, disc golf, and many other activities. He recently completed a climb of one of Ecuador’s highest peaks with ROMP and is currently featured in the documentary, “The Power of Sports for Amputees.”

Emily Oberst was diagnosed with bone cancer when she was in eighth grade, which required surgery on her left leg. Sports was her life and basketball was her favorite sport. Eventually, she started playing wheelchair basketball for a local NWBA program in Milwaukee. She was recruited to play at the collegiate level for the University of Alabama but would transfer to the University of Illinois and studied sports management. Emily started playing for the women’s national team in 2017, but took a few years off to focus on her career. She tried out again in 2021 and was able to win a silver medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Tracy Danzey competed in track and swimming in high school. While attending Shepherd University and upon graduating, she kept an active lifestyle with activities like kayaking and hiking. At the age of 25, the intensive care nurse was diagnosed with cancer and would ultimately have her right leg amputated. In recent years, she has started to play with the U.S. women’s amputee soccer team, which will be competing at the inaugural Women’s Amputee Soccer World Cup in Columbia, November 4-11.

Emi Perry grew up in Japan, but moved back to the United States in 2011 to attend college, where she studied exercise science. She was a runner before sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2017. She started competing in wheelchair racing and then para triathlon in 2022. Emi joined the resident team in Colorado Springs the following year and just represented the United States at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

After a life-changing car accident as a teenager, Judge Patricia Broderick had two choices: remain in the safe haven of her parents or reinvent herself and find a new path through life as a woman in a wheelchair. She chose the latter. Graduating from law school, her career spans from being a volunteer social worker in Ecuador to a senior judge in the District of Columbia. Judge Broderick also advocates for diversity and women's advancement in the legal profession. Her memoir, Reinventing the Wheel, is a testimony to overcoming pain, fear, and prejudice and tempered by a resolve to carry on traveling and having fun in her own way, including alpine skiing.

Jason Tabansky grew up in South Texas. He spent over 15 years in the U.S. Army as a helicopter crewmember and instructor and had deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. He incurred a spinal cord injury due to an epidural abscess, which compressed his spinal cord. Jason participated in a golf clinic with Move United in 2018, but then really got into archery. He has competed in the Texas Regional Games and helped out with the Kinetic Kids program. But just last month, he won a gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Chris Hammer was born with one hand, the result of a congenital condition. He grew up playing multiple sports such as baseball and ice hockey, but ran cross country in high school. He would continue distance running at Grand Valley State University. In 2013, he would also get into paratriathlon. The 4X Paralympian earned his first gold medal last month at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. He’s also been a coach, earned a master’s degree in sports administration and a PhD in sports psychology.

Courtney Ryan was playing on the women’s soccer team at Metropolitan State University in Denver when she suffered an injury that left her paralyzed. She would be recruited by and transferred to the University of Arizona to play wheelchair basketball and finish her degree, winning a national title there as well. At the 2020 and 2024 Paralympic Games, she has been an integral member of Team USA’s medal efforts. In addition to being a player, she is also a coach. We talk about adaptive sports, mental health, and more.