Brain Injury Hasn’t Stopped Veteran from Becoming a Professional Athlete

While serving in Iraq, Joel Hunt suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after being only 25 feet away from a severe blast. Upon returning home, he was confined to a wheelchair and experienced frequent headaches, dizziness and short-term memory loss. With the help of Denver Options' Operation TBI Freedom program, Joel received therapy to lessen the effects of his injuries and help him walk, first with a cane and then without assistance.

“That first winter after I got out of the wheelchair, I didn’t want to do sports or anything,” Joel recalled, but after attending a brain injury camp at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, he changed his mind. While at the camp, Joel learned how to downhill ski; at first, it was a frustrating challenge. “It was so hard, like trying to learn how to walk again,” he described. However, he quickly picked it up and discovered a new passion in the process. “I went out and bought skis and all the equipment after that camp.”
 
Joel still has some vision and balance problems because of his TBI, but he takes it all in stride on the slopes. “I have double vision, so when I’m skiing, I have to figure out which obstacles are real and which aren’t—I always go with the one in the middle,” he described. He loves the feeling of going down the runs as fast as he can: “I feel free; nobody can touch me. It’s my escape.”

Despite it being only his second season on the slopes, he is already competing professionally, racing in slalom and giant slalom ski competitions throughout the region. He won a gold medal at the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge in December and in February finished third at the Wells Fargo Ski Cup in Winter Park. Because of his excellent performance, Joel has earned a chance to compete in the 2014 Winter Paralympics, which is his ultimate goal.

Joel credits much of his success to the organizations that have supported him, including Operation TBI Freedom (OTF) and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). “Without them, I wouldn’t be able to ski,” he stated. Joel’s OTF care coordinator, Fredia Johnson, has provided support for Joel ever since he joined OTF. “She’s helped me a lot. Whenever I have questions or need help, she’s there for me,” he shared. He will be transitioning out of the OTF program in April, but will continue receiving care coordination services through another statewide TBI program called Colorado Connections. Both OTF and Colorado Connections are operated by Denver Options.

CAF has provided skis, funding for training and funding for some event entry fees through their Operation Rebound program. Operation Rebound provides sports opportunities and support for military troops and veterans who have suffered permanent physical injuries. “We provide funding for equipment, travel, lodging, event entry fees and coaching for our athletes,” Operation Rebound Program Manager Nico Marcolongo described. “The support is tailored to the needs and goals of those we serve, from leisurely bike rides to achieving Paralympic Gold, and is irrespective of athletic ability.” Nico added that the program is excited to have Joel as a part of their team. “We are happy that we can support Joel’s goal of becoming an elite skier.”

When Joel isn’t competing, he’s often on the slopes teaching his friends and fellow veterans how to ski. He’s also considering the possibility of becoming a certified ski instructor in the future. “We admire his determination and dedication to leading an active lifestyle and his desire to support other injured veterans in their pursuit of sports,” Nico shared.

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Learn more about Operation TBI Freedom, a program of Denver Options.
Read about Joel when he first came to Operation TBI Freedom.