After being told he would never walk again, United States Marine Ryan Anderson defeated all the odds as a Team Hope For The Warriors member.
In 2006, Staff Sergeant Anderson was subjected to 7 improvised explosive devices (IED) in Iraq within three days. Eventually, being diagnosed with PTSD and a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); the injuries affected his ability to speak and ultimately left him nearly unable to walk.
After being stationed at the Wounded Warrior Battalion – East in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he connected to HOPE and reached out to find a way to remain active. HOPE donated a handcycle to Ryan. He began training with fellow hand cyclist Paul Kelly, forging a friendship that played a key role in Anderson’s recovery and growth as an athlete.
In 2012, Anderson accomplished something he never thought he’d do again: he started running. In May of 2013, he ran the Jacksonville Run For The Warriors, his first half-marathon. We’re proud to have been there to witness his recovery and growth each step of the way and continuously inspired by Ryan and the incredible resilient warriors in our HOPE family.