Brandon Beack was a promising gymnast but broke his neck and is now paralysed from the chest down; he has evolved his dreams to now become a para-athlete.
South Africa – Sometimes in life, our dreams won’t come true because our circumstances change, but we should never give those dreams up, we should just evolve them. That is precisely what Brandon Beack did after he became paralysed.
Seven years ago Brandon dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast. That all changed after he broke his neck in a gymnastics accident. The accident left him paralysed from the chest down. He says he was left with nothing, not even the ability to brush his own teeth.
His dream looked like it would never become a reality, but Brandon refused to let his changed circumstance destroy his dream. Instead, he started working hard and evolved his dream. Today he dreams of wearing green and gold, becoming a South African Paralympian.
It is still the same dream; it is just a little different. Despite its difference, Brandon has worked just as hard to make it a reality.
“I never gave up. No matter how tough times get or how hard life knocks you down. All you can do is pick yourself back up again and fight on.”
Since his accident, Brandon has recovered more than doctors ever expected. He channelled his dream of becoming an Olympian into a new skill; he became a record-holding wheelchair racer. Now he hopes to wear green and gold and represent South Africa at the Paralympics. He is currently ranked as one of the top ten T52 wheelchair racers in the world.
“I want my life to mean something. I want to make a difference through my dreams and I am busy doing that today”
Part of his dream has become a reality as Brandon has been invited to compete at the Para Athletics World Games in Dubai.
“I cannot explain how I feel right now. All I have ever wanted was to wear the green and gold, and represent my country, as a gymnast and even now as a wheelchair racer”
Brandon is a true inspiration, and we know he will do South Africa so proud! We hope to see his dream come true. If you wish to follow his journey, you can follow him on Facebook here.