When people hear about heroes, I see it as what they’ve overcome. Like, you know, most people see my accident, but I use my accident as a tool to help people. From my struggles to triumph, I hope that what I’ve done with my life can lead by example from my work, from my competition.

That way athletes see that if I can do it, so can they. That’s why I focus on beating all the athletes around the world. So they take me serious, but then I travel around the world giving wheelchair athletes opportunities. So hopefully they see that whatever struggles that they’re facing and going through, that it opens the door. And hopefully gives them a little bit of light in a very dark place to get them to do something with their life. That way, as long as they start, the door can open for them. And it’s up to them a choice if they want to keep going or whatever path they decide. But at least they try. And that’s what a true hero is, is to lead by example to facing your fears. Because fear is just an illusion, what we make of it. It’s what we just overcome, regardless of it’s physical or mental.

That if somebody else can do it, so can you. You just got to believe.