BEST WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE

Greg Gardner, Individual Differences, Inc. 3137 Woodward, 1-800-756-3589 A star wrestler in his youth and later a high school wrestling coach, Greg Gardner was faced with a major change of pace after a car hit him more than six years ago. During treatment, complications led to a stroke and spinal cord injury that paralyzed him below the chest. “Prior to my accident, athletics was about seeing improvement. Now, since my accident, I think athletics and working out, it’s more about keeping from digressing in day-to-day life,” he says. But despite the challenges and change in circumstances, this year’s best wheelchair athlete is still helping others to become more physically fit, now through his nonprofit, Individual Differences, Inc. The organization partners with the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide disabled people with financial aid, advocacy services and a space for physical therapy workouts.

BEST WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE

Runner-up: John Nelson and Jeremy Morgan “If I can do this stuff, anybody can do this,” says Jeremy Morgan, a Springfield resident who’s been wheelchair-bound since his teens due to severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Morgan this summer completed his first two triathlons with the help of John Nelson, who met Morgan late last year through St. Paul Masonic Lodge No. 500. “I really love sharing my joys with other people,” says Nelson, who had asked others with disabilities to team up with him in the past without success. Using a modified racing wheelchair and a boat, Nelson pulls Morgan behind him as he swims, bikes or runs in sanctioned triathlons. “I wanted to share my passion with as many people as possible and Jeremy was willing to give it a try.” Though Nelson is doing some heavy lifting, the feat also takes a toll on Morgan, who has to assume odd positions and endure every bump in the road. “My whole thing is you get one shot at life, right? You should do everything in your power to make every day the best it can be,” Morgan says. Nelson says that, despite the extra 90-plus pounds, competing with Morgan is in many ways easier than competing solo.

“It’s obviously physically harder, but there’s a lot of mental things you have to fight through when you’re doing it on your own,” Nelson says. “With Jeremy, it really helps. Basically, you have your own personal motivator with you the whole time that can give you instant feedback.”