Rhonda Liddell
My name is Rhonda LIddell, I grew up in Upstate New York. I didn't really choose the U.S.Navy, it chose me. I followed in the footsteps of my father and my uncles before me. In my first two and a half years I attended Basic Electricity and Electronics, Data and Link Cryptologic school. I emerged as a DS3 / E4 and went out to sea. I joined the U.S. Navy because I thought I wasn't smart enough for college and here I was fixing electronics! My time in the service had two major impacts on my life. First, I learned I was way smarter than I thought, and second, don’t take “No” for an answer if you believe you can.
I was the third woman in the U.S. Navy to get accepted to Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, an unbelievable and hard-earned honor. I was at my Peak physically and emotionally. I boxed, ran long distances, and played on the Navy Softball team. I was an example to my teammates and the women who would come after me. While waiting for orders to go to EOD school I was hit by a drunk driver. Everything changed for me after that crash. I suffered many physical and mental injuries that left me a 100% disabled veteran. A title I never hoped or imagined I would earn. I found myself no longer a US Naval NCO. No longer certain about my future, no longer confident or strong. I was a single mom, I was injured and I did not have a plan, but I persisted. My kids are successful college graduates, authentic loving confident adults. In 2018 I received a call from an adaptive organization, I was told they would change my life if I would just trust them, I did! I learned that What's Within Me is Stronger Than What's In My Way. If you can see it you can be it... Now, I am VERY active in Adaptive Sports. I am on the USA National Paralympics team, and I’m about to learn skeleton at age 54, to try and make another team. I also stock the local food bank and when the church bells didn’t ring, I repaired them. It is now my hope to pay it forward to others, to show them that they are stronger than they know and that they should also never doubt their worth.
Sports
- Cycling,
- Hiking,
- Golf,
- Orienteering,
- Kayaking,
- Snowboarding
City
- Downsville
Move United was there for me through almost every step of the last 3 years of my life. They were a lifesaver in 2021 and because of my virtual participation, I was able to get real snowboard lessons! This was a definite highlight of the Pandemic. Participation in Adaptive Sports has empowered me and has helped to make me feel whole again.
To someone who is thinking about trying adaptive sports, I would say “There is something for everyone. It does not matter your level of fitness, we all start somewhere. The key to what we do is Adapt. If you are willing to try, the feelings of accomplishment will start to fill you. Let’s find something you like and get you moving!”
Please read my two poems about my journey, My Armor from 2012 and Tapestry of Triumph from 2023.
My personal goals are to just keep impressing my children and to keep ‘Moving’. I consider it my JOB to show up to Adaptive events and give it my all. Athletically, 1) I will do almost any sport to keep moving on a regular basis. 2) I have an Obligation to Para Orienteering. 3) My love is One armed Golf. It is a dream of mine to help advocate to make Golf a Paralympic Sport.
Results
Competition
Results
Sport
Event
Description
US PARA ORIENTEERING NATIONALS
2021
2nd
