Athlete Stories: Stories of Grit, Growth & Sport from The Kelly Brush Foundation
Sydney Fowler: Finding Her Way Back to Sport
After a spinal cord injury left her paralyzed at 13, Sydney Fowler thought her athletic dreams were over. An adaptive sports camp introduced her to water skiing, tennis, CrossFit, and more—eventually leading her to compete on Clemson’s wheelchair tennis team and pursue her goal of reaching the Paralympics. Her story is a powerful reminder that getting back into sport can open doors to possibilities you never expected.
Andrew Kurka: The Definition of Grit
Paralympic skier Andrew Kurka has built his career around one simple motto: work hard, have grit, and don’t quit. After a life-changing injury and additional challenges along the way, Kurka went on to win multiple Paralympic medals—including a bronze in the 2026 Winter Games. Now, he’s giving back through mentorship and helping the next generation of adaptive athletes find their path.
Listen to Andrew’s story on SportsTravel
Kelly Brush: Choosing What Comes Next
In her latest VTDigger conversation, Kelly reflects on how we respond when life takes an unexpected turn. She shares her perspective on choosing to focus on what’s possible, finding purpose, and continuing to build a life you’re excited about. Her message is simple but powerful: we may not get to choose everything that happens to us, but we do have a choice in how we respond—and what we do next.
