When I was just 17, I suffered a major spinal cord injury while playing high school soccer.  The five years that followed consisted of 7 spinal injections, nerve function testing, countless hours of physical therapy, and 3 major spinal cord surgeries (including a spinal fusion). I relied on the help of others to do simple, everyday tasks such as using the restroom, sitting down in a chair, or even rolling over in bed.  I was told I would never run again.

Thanks to the endless support of numerous doctors, nurses, physical therapists, family, and friends, I am incredibly proud to call myself a marathon runner. I learned to never give up and to never take running (and other everyday tasks) for granted. 

I hope to represent Spinal Research as a runner at the London Marathon as a way to raise both money and awareness for spinal cord injuries and the importance of treatment and research. I need your help to get me to the starting line in London on April 21, 2024!