BELMONT, N.C. — A U.S. Army veteran is getting back in shape and training to earn a spot in the 2024 Summer Paralympics in France.
Brian Conwell served in the military for a decade.
In 2014 while stationed in Kansas, Conwell said he was involved in a car crash while getting lunch for other military members.
“I hit black ice. And there weren’t any guardrails or anything like that, and I ran off a ravine,” Conwell said.
The disabled veteran was honorably discharged in October of 2015.
“The Army was my dream job. I was very proud of what I was doing,” Conwell said. “At the moment, I thought that was taken for me, but everything happens for a reason,” Conwell said.
After the crash, he lost his left leg and severely injured the right one.
“It’s a scary thing when you lose something like that and lose your ability to walk around,” Conwell said.
He spent a year in the hospital, recovering physically and mentally.
Conwell, who has a prosthetic leg, used a wheelchair and crutches before walking again on his own last October.
“It has been so good to see [him] walk without crutches. It’s been so good. I try to remind him every day,” Conwell’s son, Anthony, said, proud of this milestone in his father’s life.
In December, Conwell went back to the gym.
“I’m 12 pounds away from losing 100 pounds since December,” he said.
Conwell said getting back in shape has helped his mood and overall health.
His trainer at Planet Fitness Belmont, Meredith White, said sometimes he goes to the gym twice a day.
“This is a completely different, more motivated guy who is looking to get things done. He’s just crushing it,” White said.
Planet Fitness is also supporting Conwell for him to try out for the 2024 Summer Paralympics. He said the gym is covering his membership fee and trainer.
The 41-year-old hopes to represent team USA in wheelchair basketball, shot put, javelin throw, rifle, and pistol shoots.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to rep the colors and meet some amazing people around the world with disabilities…that push every day, that are happy with the way they look and the way they feel,” Conwell said.
His family is overjoyed to see his progress.
“It shows you what you can actually do when you put your mind to,” Anthony added.
Conwell also hopes to inspire others along the way.
“If I can walk into somebody’s life and make their life better just by talking to them, or showing them that they’re able to do whatever they want and they got a smile on their face, mission complete,” Conwell said.
Before trying out for the Paralympics, Conwell must complete several competitions in the U.S. In August, he’ll go to New York for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
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