For many elite athletes, it takes years of training to reach the world stage. In addition to the blood, sweat and tears, many Paralympians like Brad Johnson and April Holmes, often face a different set of challenges along the road to winning gold medals and fulfilling life long dreams.
Brad Johnson was traveling along Interstate 75 when his automobile hydroplaned into a guardrail. In a matter of seconds he lost his left leg below the knee and his right leg above the knee. It was after graduating law school that he was introduced to disabled sports, which eventually led to his participation in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He also pursued his interest in sailing and was asked to tryout for the mainsail position on a Sonar class boat. He joined them in competing for the #1 team position on the U.S. Sailing Team. They went on to the 2004 Paralympic in Athens, Greece where they won the bronze.
April Holmes went from an all-star high school and college athlete to a promising Paralympian. A high school 400-meter champion, Holmes earned multiple NCAA All-American honors as a sprinter at Norfolk State University. When she lost her leg in a train accident in 2001, she didn't despair about her new situation. A year after her accident, April was back on the track in her debut Paralympic competition: Disabled Sport USA's "International Challenge." Her latest feats include winning the silver medal in the 100m at the Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and winning the gold medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing China.
Together, they've teamed up with The Hartford and its Achieve Without Limits campaign, which celebrates the human spirit as these athletes continue the journey toward the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The Hartford, a founding partner of U.S. Paralympics, launched the Achieve Without Limits Campaign in March 2011 to give consumers the opportunity to engage with elite U.S. Paralympic athletes, to be inspired by their stories and understand what it means to achieve without limits.
Brad and April share their personal stories of success and how they motivate others to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. They also talk about how you can get involved with the Achieve Without Limits campaign and help raise awareness about U.S. Paralympic sports.
Available content includes soundbites from Brad Johnson and April Holmes.
Brad Johnson was traveling along Interstate 75 when his automobile hydroplaned into a guardrail. In a matter of seconds he lost his left leg below the knee and his right leg above the knee. It was after graduating law school that he was introduced to disabled sports, which eventually led to his participation in the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He also pursued his interest in sailing and was asked to tryout for the mainsail position on a Sonar class boat. He joined them in competing for the #1 team position on the U.S. Sailing Team. They went on to the 2004 Paralympic in Athens, Greece where they won the bronze.
April Holmes went from an all-star high school and college athlete to a promising Paralympian. A high school 400-meter champion, Holmes earned multiple NCAA All-American honors as a sprinter at Norfolk State University. When she lost her leg in a train accident in 2001, she didn't despair about her new situation. A year after her accident, April was back on the track in her debut Paralympic competition: Disabled Sport USA's "International Challenge." Her latest feats include winning the silver medal in the 100m at the Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and winning the gold medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing China.
Together, they've teamed up with The Hartford and its Achieve Without Limits campaign, which celebrates the human spirit as these athletes continue the journey toward the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The Hartford, a founding partner of U.S. Paralympics, launched the Achieve Without Limits Campaign in March 2011 to give consumers the opportunity to engage with elite U.S. Paralympic athletes, to be inspired by their stories and understand what it means to achieve without limits.
Brad and April share their personal stories of success and how they motivate others to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. They also talk about how you can get involved with the Achieve Without Limits campaign and help raise awareness about U.S. Paralympic sports.
Available content includes soundbites from Brad Johnson and April Holmes.
