Disability:

During Operation Enduring Freedom,  Mike Brickert was deployed with the National Guard. While on his bicycle, he hit an ammunition truck at high speed. The impact broke his back and left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Ability:

Mike, a high level athlete when injured, and with 34 years of law enforcement work and 27 years of military duty, he wasn't about to say goodbye to an active lifestyle.

"It is the nature of life to bring each of us challenges and problems we never planned on" says Mike, "and when life hits us like this… the most important thing we have control over is our attitude". Mike competed in biathlons and kept himself in top condition before his accident and remains an athlete today. "It's not like we can't do things we used to do. We just do them differently."