Paralympian Brad Synder and Basketball Coach Delvin Maston Create the New Normal

Bradley "Brad" Snyder is an Amrican swimmer. He swam for the U.S. Naval Academy and then on the 2012 and 2016 summer Paralympic team.  It was one year to the day he lost his vision, due to an improvised explosive device, or IED, while he was serving in Afghanistan. Through the use of sport Brad immersed himself in the familiar. The swimming pool became not only a safe haven but a place where he could and would excel. Among fully blind swimmers, he is the current world record holder for the 100m freestyle events. Brad is now a professional speaker.

Delvin Maston was an all around athlete. He made it safely through 47 months in Iraq. When he came back to the United States he became a statistic. Seventy percent of injuries to military personnel happen outside of the war zone.  Delvin was struck by a vehicle. The injuries he sustained caused the amputation of his leg above the knee. However, like Brad, Delvin also returned to the familiar. He used sports as a tool for his rehabilitation. He particpated in the Warrior Games, the Invictus Games and tried out for the Paralympic Volleyball team. Evenutally he used his amazing coaching skills to land the full time head coaching job at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL. 

John Register, Paralympic Silver Medalist | Inspirational Cataltyst | Change Management Expert | Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and International Speaker | Author | American Long Jump Record Holder | Gulf War Veteran | Disability Rights Advocate | Amputee | and Home-made Waffle Lover.  Showing businesses, military leaders and college student athletes, how to hurdle adversity and create life’s new normal