Magee: What is your injury level and how did you get hurt?
TS: I was injured on October 11, 2016 in a motorcycle crash, when an oncoming driver ran a red light and hit me directly. The impact caused me to eject from the bike and fly over 50 feet to the ground. As a result of the accident I sustained a spinal cord injury at level T-4.
Magee: After your injury did you ever think you could be an athlete again?
TS: Initially after my injury I was unaware of how I could compete athletically, but I always knew the athlete inside of me would never disappear. It took me two years to finally join the Magee Spokesman wheelchair basketball team.
Magee: Why did you wait so long to try adapted sports?
TS: In those first two years without any competitive outlet, I found myself falling into a deeper and deeper depression. I had lost everything in my life at age 21, this includes my military career as I was an officer in the Coast Guard, my career as a commercial pilot, and my collegiate athletic career.
When I played wheelchair basketball for the first time I was initially very apprehensive because I did not feel balanced whatsoever when competing in wheelchair basketball. My injury left me paralyzed from the nipple-line down, leaving me with no core control at all. Without any core, it is very hard to remain balanced. I also had to learn the game from a seated position. I had to understand that the wheelchair is now an extension of my body, and now requires much more space and time to manipulate properly. With a little practice, and some changes to my seating position, I now feel much more comfortable on the court.
Magee: What do you enjoy most about being part of the program?
TS: The biggest part of the wheelchair basketball program for me is being around others that truly understand my daily struggle. Wheelchair basketball gives me a sense of belonging and comfort when I am competing. Not only does it help with my confidence, the program also works as a network of knowledge. I immediately have 20+ people (my teammates) that have answers to any question I may pose as a “newbie” in the disabled community.
Magee: What do you want to do when you finish your degree?
TS: In the spring I will begin my MBA. My dream job is to one day be an air traffic controller based out of Philadelphia International Airport.