Finding community while navigating his personal combat zone

Competing in the 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Marine Corps Veteran Pierre Sturgis showcased his strength and resilience competing in basketball, powerlifting, powerlifting circuit and track and field.

For Sturgis, the journey to the games has been filled with determination to overcome and adapt to his new life after injury. In 2020, he was hit by a bullet to his femoral artery, an event that changed his life forever.

Despite the physical loss of his leg, the emotional impact of the transition to life with a prosthetic limb and a wheelchair was greater. “My trauma was now my combat zone. It forced me to mature and change my mentality,” he shared. “At that time, I believed that I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a dark time in my life. However, I’ve realized that as a Marine I was taught how to adapt and overcome. This was the beginning of something big for me and that my prayers to be part of a community would soon be answered.”

Feeling overwhelmed at times by despair and uncertainty, he wanted to make it a point to prove to himself and to his 13-year-old daughter that life’s setbacks, no matter how daunting, could be overcome.

Working with Dr. Rodolfo Dy, Orlando VA physical therapist, provided him with the ability to get back out on the court. “I met Pierre less than 2 months following his amputation. He showed tremendous motivation from his first day in PT. He worked relentlessly in rehab to regain his function and athleticism, always smiling and eager to improve,” Dy said.

Crediting the prosthetics team with giving him the ability to pursue his passion, he said that they equipped him with a running leg to help him re-learn to run, a rowing foot to help him with an indoor rowing competition at the Warrior Games and helped him to regain his mobility and walking gait.

They also introduced him to the adaptive sports team, who customized an adaptive wheelchair to help him with playing basketball again.

Adaptive Sports Coordinator Christina Lafex believed in Sturgis’ power to persevere. “Pierre exemplifies resilience and determination. Despite facing the immense challenges, he has shown incredible strength and dedication in his journey of recovery. His hard work and positive attitude are truly inspiring and it has been an honor to see him excel in adaptive sports.”

Lafex also helped to introduce Sturgis to the Orlando Magic Wheels, an organization where physically challenged athletes compete in fast moving basketball tournament play. “After practicing and becoming part of the Orlando Magic Wheels team, I realized that my shot was still good. It was only a matter of now learning how to maneuver the chair,” he said.

Continuing to build momentum, Sturgis soon after became part of the Warrior Games and now serves as a mentor to local kids with similar physical challenges and teaches them how to play wheelchair basketball.

“I always prayed to be a part of a community and for opportunities like this,” Sturgis said. “Basketball has always been a part of me. It is my stress relief and part of my personal combat zone. I’ve been inspired by everyone that I’ve met along the way. I have truly found my community.”