Rhonda Liddell
“Despite receiving an Honorable Medical Discharge and a 100% Service-Connected Disability rating, I refused to let adversity define me. Through sharing my story, poetry, and heart, I aim to spread awareness about the empowering and inclusive community of Adaptive Sports. I hope to encourage others to live their best life and live it out loud.” – US Navy Veteran, Rhonda Liddell
Liddell grew up in upstate New York and joined the Navy as her father and uncles did before her. She studied at the Navy’s Electronics, Data and Link Cryptologic school and went to sea. She was very active boxing, running long distances, and playing on the Navy Softball team. Liddell was the third female to in the Navy to be accepted to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School, one of the hardest, most challenging schools in the military.
While awaiting orders to go to EOD school, Liddell was struck by a drunk driver resulting in permanent loss of range of motion and neuropathy in her arm, damage to her shoulder, and traumatic brain injury.
For 25 years, physical activity was a constant challenge for Liddell. In 2018, a pivotal moment at a Summit in NYC introduced her to Adaptive Sports. By 2019, Liddell was fully immersed, attending numerous Move United Warfighter camps.
Today, Liddell is an active Para-Skeleton Athlete and has represented the USA in the World Championships of Trail Orienteering. Her activities span one-armed golf, snowboarding, riding a recumbent trike, and year-round functional fitness.
Sports
- Skeleton,
- Golf/Adaptive Golf,
- Snowboarding
