Garrett Schoonover, a resident of Utah, has been selected to compete for the United States at the Paralympics in Paris

Salt Lake City, Utah – August 28 marks the beginning of the Paralympic Games in Paris. Garrett Schoonover, who hails from Utah, was able to secure a berth on Team USA by achieving a perfect score in all three weapons in the National Fencing Championships held in Salt Lake City.

While he was receiving the news that he would be traveling to Paris with USA Parafencing, he expressed his emotions by saying, “I was crying.” At that point in time, I had not even entertained the notion that it was even remotely feasible.

In 2017, Schoonover was involved in a motorbike accident that had a profound impact on his life. As a consequence of the accident, he had to have his left leg amputated. I would wake up and glance down, and it was so damn defeating,” he added. “It was so frustrating.” “You need to retrain yourself on how to interact with the outside world.”

The former Army sergeant and bodybuilder was able to find purpose in a whole new world: para fencing, better known as wheelchair fencing. Every single step was like climbing a mountain, from trying to shower to relearning how to walk. Eventually, he was able to find purpose in a world that was completely foreign to him.

“You were in the Army for years, you know how to fight, so put a stick in your hand, put a mask on your face, and learn the finer points — pun intended.” This was the advice that his friend gave him when he first introduced him to the sport.

Following a series of victories in tournaments, he immediately came to the realization that he possessed something unique in this new sport.

“It really was something I hadn’t planned on,” Schoonover said when it took off. “It was a complete surprise.”

His unanticipated voyage has, in fact, become a source of motivation for other amputees to follow in his footsteps.

During his time away from fencing, he works as a patient care coordinator at the Hanger Clinic in Salt Lake City. In this role, he guides amputees through the process of regaining their mobility.

It blew my head and widened my thinking to comprehend that there is a lot that is possible,” said his patient Mary Brickey. “It was a great experience.”

She made such a statement in response to observing Schoonover’s achievements despite the fact that she is an amputee.

When asked about the finest aspect of his job, Schoonover responded, “The best part of my job is that we get to meet people in the middle of some of their darkest days and empower them to take back control of their lives.”

For the United States Parafencer, who has come to accept life as an amputee with self-assurance and a sense of purpose, this is a moment that represents a full circle.

I am currently putting on a prosthetic whenever I have a dream. “I no longer have dreams of having both limbs,” he stated with a cheery expression on his face.

In the event that you are interested in making a donation, there is a GoFundMe page dedicated to Schoonover’s journey to the Paralympics.