Help Garrett represent Team USA in the Paris Paralympics
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Hi everyone, my name is William “Garrett” Schoonover, and I am a Wheelchair Fencer! As a US Army veteran, I can’t begin to express how excited I am to represent TEAM USA at the 2024 Paris Paralympics! Wheelchair fencing was created by wounded veterans as a way of keeping up morale in hospitals during WWII and is one of the original Paralympic events. In hindsight I realized my first practice was on Veteran’s Day 2021. It’s incredible to think of all the places I’ve been and people I’ve met since then.
In the course of chasing this dream, my family and I have had to make many sacrifices and I humbly seek your support to offset the costs of training, travel, lodging, and competition fees. I truly appreciate anything you are willing to give, and if you’re willing to spread the word, I am doubly grateful.
How we got here:
I was in a major motorcycle accident on June 2nd 2017 on the 405 in Los Angeles. At the time I was pursuing a graduate degree in Vocal Performance at UCLA. I was actually on my way to the final dress rehearsal of an opera when I was hit.
After four months and 13 limb-salvage surgeries, I decided I was done trying to save my leg - I was tired of fighting the losing battle and I knew I needed to get moving again for my physical and mental well being.
At the time, I was an Interrogator and Farsi Linguist (Sergeant) with the California National Guard’s 225th Expeditionary Intelligence Unit. I had been in for seven years, had met other amputees, and knew plenty of guys who’d had limb salvage operations that left them with lifelong pain and debilitations. I was an avid body builder and understood my best chance was to move forward with the amputation so I could avoid pain and future injury.
On September 28th 2017, the Orthopedic Surgery team at the University of Utah amputated my left leg above the knee.
I spent the next several weeks recovering, meeting other amputees at support groups, and rebuilding my strength. I took my “first steps” on November 17th.
By the end of the year I was packing up my stuff to move back to Los Angeles. I had a masters degree to finish!
I continued to struggle while learning how to live as an amputee, but I was determined. I got back to school and held roles in more operas. I traveled the country to sing in professional choruses from Los Angeles to Miami and multiple places in between. I returned to the gym and began to rebuild; I’d lost nearly 60 pounds during the four months I was out of commission.
I returned to personal training and began training clients in Hollywood, working mostly with folks in the “industry.” I adopted a rescue husky, Rascal, who - like me - was missing his rear left limb. We’re twins!
I completed my Masters Degree in 2020 during the height of the Covid Pandemic. You can see some videos of me singing here:
As the pandemic wore on and work was scarce in Los Angeles, I took an opportunity to join the clinical care team with the prosthetic company that built my first prosthetic. In February of 2021 I moved Rascal and I back to my hometown of Salt Lake City and I’ve spent the last few years working with new amputees - coaching and educating them through the months following surgery. I love being able to show my patients that there is life after amputation. It has been the most rewarding work of my life.
My friend, Mason, introduced me to the sport of wheelchair fencing. He is also an amputee and he’s been my steadfast colleague. Together we have worked to build a program that empowers new amputees to take back ownership of their lives. He found the sport a couple of months previously and invited me to practice one night. I fell in love instantly.
Two months later I was competing in my first North American Cup in San Jose, CA, and brought home two bronze medals.
A few months later I swept Bronze at the National Championships in Charlotte, NC.
Pretty soon I was getting attention from the National Coaches and was invited to attend a camp and a World Cup in Warsaw, Poland. Less than a year after my first practice I brought home a Silver Medal in Foil at the 2022 Americas Zonal Championships in São Paulo, Brazil.
Since then I have traveled the world and competed at World Cups and the World Championships.
As a fun ode to keeping a foot in the arts, I starred in a commercial - we shot literally the day before I flew to Warsaw for the 2023 World Cup
In April 2024, I swept Gold in all three men’s events becoming the Men’s Wheelchair Fencing All-Weapon National Champion. It was even more special as the event was hosted in my hometown and my family was able to attend.
Most recently I brought home the Gold Medal at our 2024 Americas Zonal Championship in São Paulo, Brazil, as well as a Bronze Medal in Foil. See the videos below!
We leave for Paris in about three weeks! This has been an incredible journey and I look forward to sharing in this experience with my teammates and family. With your help, this will be an unforgettable experience and hopefully a precursor for what’s to come in Los Angeles 2028!
Salud
Organiser
Garrett Schoonover
Organiser
Sandy City, UT