Disability:

Al Kovach, former U.S. Navy SEAL, was injured in a 1991 parachuting accident that broke his back, leaving him with limited use of his arms and paralyzed from the neck down.

Ability:

Al thought he would never be competitive again, but sports became the vehicle for his reinvention.

Al reemerged as a formidable athlete.  He is a 2-time winner of the L.A. Marathon and has won several national and world titles.  In 1998, Al was challenged to complete a 3,700-mile transcontinental triathlon.  He successfully pushed his wheelchair, cranked his hand-cycle, and swam from Los Angeles to New York City in 65 days. Al has become a tireless advocate and promoter for people with disabilities. He is the Vice President of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.