As a 16-year-old, I was an avid athlete participating in basketball and softball at the varsity level. My life pretty much revolved around sports and I found myself not able to participate at the capacity that I once was. I sustained a spinal cord injury as the result of a car accident in 2003. As most of us know far too well, this injury significantly impacts not only the life of those affected but also the family and friends that we hold dear. I was introduced to Swim with Mike in 2010 when I was a undergraduate student at California State University, San Marcos, and a client at Project Walk in Carlsbad, CA.

Their financial support helped me to continue my education through a master’s degree and on to a PhD in Health and Human Performance. Pursuing a Ph.D. has always been a dream of mine and throughout my time instructing I have realized how beneficial this degree is to my ability to provide the best education to my students. Upon completion of this degree I know that I will be better equipped to serve in the capacity of a professor and continue to further research to aid in not only the athletic and exercise population but the spinal cord injury community as well. Swim with Mike has helped make this dream a reality as without the financial support from this amazing organization I would not be where I am today.

Swim with Mike has and continues to provide financial support to hundreds of other individuals with physical disabilities so they, too, can reach their educational and career goals! Please consider contributing!