Brandon Lyons, originally from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, has defied the odds after being paralyzed from the chest down due to an accident in 2014. His journey of recovery has led him to secure a position on the 2024 Paris Paralympics Hand Cycling team.
Reflecting on his journey, Lyons expressed surprise at how far he has come. “I never imagined that I would be here today, especially given the journey that I was on,” he said. Prior to the accident, he had different aspirations for his life, but he embraced the challenges he faced after being dealt this new hand.
The injury occurred when Lyons accidentally dove into shallow water, resulting in a broken T5/T6 vertebra and paralysis. Doctors gave him a mere 1% chance of walking again, a statistic that he turned into motivation. “My mindset was, I was going to recover, I was going to get better,” he stated. This determination fueled his recovery and helped him maintain focus on his future.
During his rehabilitation, Lyons discovered hand cycling, which became an essential part of his independence and passion for competition. With support from family fundraising efforts, he received his first hand cycle after leaving the hospital. “It was a way for me to feel independence and freedom again,” he recalled.
Lyons had previously aspired to run a marathon, and just five months post-accident, he participated in his first hand cycling marathon during the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. He credited his hand cycle with restoring his athletic ambitions, saying, “Having that hand cycle… was a saving grace.”
In pursuit of further recovery, Lyons moved to California for clinical treatments and met mentor David Bailey, a former professional motocross racer who also faced paralysis. Inspired by Bailey’s determination, Lyons began training for elite competitions, leading to his selection for the U.S. Paralympic Cycling team.
Despite an unexpected battle with sepsis that threatened to derail his Olympic aspirations, Lyons persevered and excelled in the rigorous selection process. He successfully qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics after a tense final race where he needed to secure at least a second-place finish.
When he learned of his qualification, the emotions were overwhelming for Lyons. “It was just a roller coaster of emotions,” he shared, reflecting on the journey that brought him to this moment.
Lyons is immensely grateful for his family’s unwavering support throughout his challenges. “When that injury happened, it didn’t only affect my life, it affected their lives,” he noted. Sharing his first games experience with them is particularly meaningful.
With his sights set on Paris, Lyons is eager to represent his family and the Central Pennsylvania community that has rallied around him. He has received an outpouring of support from those familiar with his story, which deepens his pride in being a representative of his hometown.
Lyons stands as an inspiration to others facing adversity, encouraging them never to give up. He emphasizes the importance of taking immediate action, saying, “Don’t give up. One day can become day one, where I’m going to start right now. I think that was critical for me.”