Pushing Forward by Randy Snow

When Randy Snow was 16, he was working on a farm when a 1000-pound bale of hay crashed down on him paralyzing his legs. In rehab for three months, Snow spent the next few years slowly coming to terms with his disability. Previously a promising junior tennis player, he never expected to feel the thrill of the ball hitting the racquet strings again, let alone to represent his country on the tennis court. What may seem simple and time-compressed on this page was a lengthy and traumatic ordeal in a young man's life. There were many trials ahead and more lesson to be learned as the simplest tasks took on monumental proportions. This transition to understanding one's situation and making the most of it has been a key to his acceptance and success. As Randy began to accept his new life, his will to achieve pushed him outside the societal comfort zones and towards opportunities previously veiled. His vita is the stuff of dreams. No one has matched his accomplishments. He is the only athlete in history to compete in three different summer Paralympic Games in three different sports and win medals in each sport. Snow has represented the United States seven times in wheelchair basketball, competed in a 1500 meter exhibition race at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, held past national track records in four events and won ten US Open singles wheelchair tennis trophies. Because of his achievements he received the Paralympic torch from President Clinton in Washington for the Atlanta Paralympic Games in 1996. He is a published author, past national MVP in sales, sits on many committees and advisory boards and is the president of NoXQS (no excuse), Inc., an achievement company. In his new mode he has traveled the globe winning competitions, teaching and speaking.