Guest(s)
Jason Fowler
Topic
Overcoming Spinal Cord Injuries
Topic Info
World Class athlete/ racer, Jason Fowler joins Dr. House to discuss his extraordinary story. Jason overcame a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the chest down at age 17. He has however overcome the injury to continue to be a world champion racer!
Guest Info
Growing up in Kingston, Massachusetts, Jason Fowler spent most of his childhood on motorcycles and was a nationally ranked amateur racer by age 10. A natural competitor with self-discipline, he achieved recognition as a remarkable championship athlete as he won 8 New England championships. Jason's life was forever changed, however, on March 13, 1991. While riding his motorcycle he collided with an obscured rock. He hit the ground head first, severing his spinal cord at the T5/T6 level. His injury left him paralyzed from the chest down.
He was only seventeen years old.
During the weeks that followed the accident, Jason looked toward the future. He insisted that he would be as active as possible, as soon as possible. Competitive racing had been his passion. His drive, determination, and strong will propelled him into racing again - only this time in a wheelchair and only four months after his accident and spinal fusion surgery.
Despite some medical and physical setbacks, Jason continued to look ahead. He never accepted that his life would be anything other than extraordinary. Like most world class athletes, Jason maintains a rigorous training schedule and continues to tirelessly pursue success. To date, he has completed over 150 road races, 28 marathons, and 24 triathlons. In June 2009, after winning the qualifying race in Lubbock, Texas, Jason earned a race slot in the October 10th, 2009 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in which he placed first and was crowned World Champion in the handcycle division.
Jason continues to push through barriers, ignore limitations, and set new expectations. When asked why he does what he does, he replies simply that: "It is because people think I can't."
He was only seventeen years old.
During the weeks that followed the accident, Jason looked toward the future. He insisted that he would be as active as possible, as soon as possible. Competitive racing had been his passion. His drive, determination, and strong will propelled him into racing again - only this time in a wheelchair and only four months after his accident and spinal fusion surgery.
Despite some medical and physical setbacks, Jason continued to look ahead. He never accepted that his life would be anything other than extraordinary. Like most world class athletes, Jason maintains a rigorous training schedule and continues to tirelessly pursue success. To date, he has completed over 150 road races, 28 marathons, and 24 triathlons. In June 2009, after winning the qualifying race in Lubbock, Texas, Jason earned a race slot in the October 10th, 2009 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kona, Hawaii in which he placed first and was crowned World Champion in the handcycle division.
Jason continues to push through barriers, ignore limitations, and set new expectations. When asked why he does what he does, he replies simply that: "It is because people think I can't."
Website
Host
Dr. Glen House
Original Air Date
4 / 26 / 2011
