Brian BigCountry Conwell
I grew up in Mauldin South Carolina born March 17 th , 1980. Both my grandfathers were
both veterans, one Navy and one Army so I always had military in my ear!
Of course growing up just like every other child in the ‘80s and ‘90s. I played sports all
the time. Went to Hillcrest high School in Simpsonville, South Carolina and South point
high School in Belmont, North Carolina. When I moved to North Carolina in 1998. I had
my first child Anthony Conwell in 2000. I had my daughter Julia Conwell in 2004. I left
for basic training for fort Knox Kentucky July of 2006. Did a year of reserves here in
Charlotte, North Carolina. When active duty to graftonvir, Germany January 2008. I
deployed with the 57 signal company to Iraq November 2008 returned November 2009.
From there I spent time at fort Lee Virginia and then to fort Riley, Kansas where on
January 7 th , 2014. On my way getting my men lunch. I ran off 150-ft ravine crushed both
my legs and ended my career. After 9 years. Doctors told me that I would never walk
again unless it was with crutches or Walker or some type of support device. For the next
5 years I dealt with severe anxiety, PTSD, depression and suicidal tendencies.
September of 2020 I taught myself how to walk again. At 415 lb. I got back in the gym
February of 2021 and never looked back. I had my first adaptive sports competition, the
national veteran wheelchair games in New York City, which I have competed every year
since then. In the last 3 years of full competition, I have won a total of 21 medals and
helped many others with disabilities get into a data sports. My goal is to hopefully make
the 2028 paralympics in La and continue to help all others, especially veterans with
disabilities, turn their disabilities into superpowers and something that they can use to
live a full life. The heart to help others and to see them smile and to make their life
better as I enter it. It’s truly my gold medal” as long as you believe in yourself, you dig
down deep and work hard. There's nothing that you can’t achieve.