At 180 Medical, we’re always inspired by the incredible stories and achievements of our customers. Today, we’d like to share the journey of Erik, a spinal cord injury survivor, adaptive skier, handcycle athlete, and long-time 180 Medical customer.
From his introduction to adaptive sports after rehabilitation therapy to competing in the Boston Marathon, the X Games, and other major events, Erik has continued finding new ways to stay active, connected, and involved in the adaptive sports community.
A Car Accident and Unimaginable News
One snowy winter morning in January of 2000, Erik was driving his Jeep home after leaving a friend’s house. He hadn’t slept in a while, and he thinks he must have fallen asleep while driving. The details are still fuzzy for him. All he knows is that the vehicle crashed.
As it turns out, he broke his arm, shoulder blade, and two vertebrae of his lower spinal cord in the accident, leaving him paraplegic. In other words, Erik was now paralyzed below the waist. While he still held out hope, he knew it was likely impossible for him to ever walk again.
After a week of surgery and recovery at the hospital, he was ready to head to rehabilitation therapy. Luckily, he was able to go to a rehabilitation facility in the town where he grew up in Massachusetts. After three months of rehab, he was able to move home with his parents.
“It definitely made things easier than if I were back out on my own right away.” Of course, he knew even with their help, life might never be the same.
Finding Adaptive Sports After SCI
Erik first became involved with adaptive sports shortly after completing rehabilitation therapy for his spinal cord injury.
He says, “I was always involved with some kind of sports growing up. I was aware of the wheelchair division in the Boston Marathon while I was growing up in New England. I even remember seeing part of the 2000 race while I was still in the hospital after my injury.”
Before his spinal cord injury, Erik was into mountain biking and snowboarding. “After my injury, I jumped into adaptive skiing before switching to handcycling,” he says. “After I experienced a pressure sore in 2019, I started handcycling more seriously. The sore made it tough for a few years. Eventually, I was able to get a recumbent handcycle that better distributes body weight. It’s faster and more comfortable too.”
“Being originally from Boston,” Erik said, “the Boston Marathon was something I had always seen on TV growing up. After my injury, I decided I wanted to qualify for the race.”
So that’s exactly what he began working to do.
“It took a few years and practice at many other races, but I did finally qualify for the 2005 Boston Marathon.”
Adaptive Skiing After SCI
Around the same time Erik qualified for the Boston Marathon, he decided he was ready to strike out on his own and move back north to the mountains. As an avid skier before his injury, Erik now took to the slopes to try out a new adaptive sport: mono-skiing.
Thanks to New England Disabled Sports, a nationally recognized adaptive sports program for people of all ages, Erik was able to safely learn the ropes of adaptive skiing after his SCI.
First, what is adaptive skiing? This is a sport specifically for people with disabilities, such as those with spinal cord injuries, to experience snow skiing. This is accomplished using specialized equipment, such as a mono-ski.
And what is a mono-ski exactly? It’s a device that lets a skier comfortably sit while skiing. Usually, mono-skis are ideal for amputees or individuals with a condition such as spina bifida or a spinal cord injury.
Erik loved adaptive skiing after his SCI. He competed in the 2007 and 2008 US Alpine National Championships, as well as the 2009 and 2010 ESPN X Games. In addition, he took a job with Ability Plus, where he led an adaptive skiing program in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for several years.
Today, Erik works in ticketing for the Cranmore Mountain Resort while living in New Hampshire with his wife, Beth.
“I just love living in the mountains,” he said. “I do whatever I can to stay here.”
Erik credits the help and support of local adaptive sports organizations, including Northeast Passage and New England Disabled Sports, for helping him find his passion and stay in the White Mountains, where his heart truly belongs.
From Adaptive Skiing to Handcycling
After years of adaptive skiing, Erik eventually became more involved in handcycling as well.
“After my injury, I jumped into adaptive skiing before switching to handcycling,” he says. “After I experienced a pressure sore in 2019, I started handcycling more seriously. The sore made it tough for a few years. Eventually, I was able to get a recumbent handcycle that better distributes body weight. It’s faster and more comfortable too.”
Erik threw himself into handcycling and training as his passion for the sport continued to develop.
“I qualified in Burlington, VT, last year after spending all of last summer training for a 100-mile ride. Over the winter, I started using the online cycling platform Zwift with a trainer in my living room. Participating in the 2023 Boston Marathon was my first time riding outside since October!”
Handcycling in the Boston Marathon
Despite some rain on race day, Erik completed the 2023 Boston Marathon in 1 hour, 30 minutes, and 34 seconds, finishing 10th in the men’s handcycle race. That’s a huge accomplishment, and we’re so proud of him.
For Erik, handcycling is another way to stay active, challenge himself, and remain connected to the adaptive sports community that has meant so much to him over the years.
An Early Battle with UTIs Helped Erik Find 180 Medical
While still new to living with his spinal cord injury, Erik began to encounter a common but frustrating problem: urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTIs can be an especially tough issue for catheter users with spinal cord injuries. However, there are options that can help, as Erik found out.
Advanced products like hydrophilic catheters and closed system catheters are designed to reduce the risk of contamination from hands while also potentially helping reduce the risk of infection. After consistent bouts with urinary tract infections, Erik’s doctor prescribed closed system catheters for him, which he now receives from 180 Medical.
“They’ve helped keep me healthy enough over the last two decades that I graduated from college, led an adaptive ski program, competed in the Boston Marathon and the X Games, and I continue to work in the ski industry,” Erik says.
Like 180 Medical’s founder, Todd Brown, Erik is proof that finding the right catheter products can turn your quality of life around.
Erik’s Catheter Experience
Over the years since Erik’s accident, he’s discovered which products work best for his unique needs.
“180 Medical has been great to work with over the years,” Erik said. “They sent me samples when there are new catheters on the market. Because I’ve been doing this for 20 years, I’ve found what works for me, but it’s always good to be on the lookout for what’s new.”
For the last few years, Erik has been using the Cure Catheter® Closed System. “It has everything I need in a closed catheter kit. It’s always easy to keep a couple in the car, a couple in my ski bag, and a couple in the backpack I take to work. It really simplifies that part of my life.”
180 Medical’s trained Product Specialists can work with your doctor and insurance plan to help you find the intermittent catheter that best meets your needs. Contact us to try our free catheter samples and learn more about how we can help you.
What’s Next for Erik?
In addition to his continued participation in adaptive sports, Erik now works part-time for Bike-On, an online retailer of handcycles and other adaptive sports equipment. He’s dedicated to helping others discover the joys of adaptive sports and getting more people on bikes.
Are you curious about getting started with adaptive sports? Erik has some helpful advice.
“No matter what you like to do, there is an adaptive version of it! Many universities and rehabilitation hospitals have adaptive sports programs. Reach out to one near you and get out there!”
Erik has also continued setting new goals, including plans to climb Mt. Washington, the highest point in the northeast United States, and hopes to participate in the US Paracycling National Championships.
We’re incredibly proud of Erik’s accomplishments and his unwavering dedication to helping others get involved with adaptive sports. We wish him the best of luck in his upcoming events and look forward to following his journey.
