Brendan Downes
Brendan Downes has always been active. Early on, he learned his Spina Bifida did not define him nor his desire to be active. When he started using a wheelchair in 4th grade, he joined wheelchair basketball. He went on to play for University of Arizona. He tried scuba at camp and realized it was for him. Brendan’s now trained to be a dive pirate with Rich Thomas at International Scuba.
“I love spending time with my wife Molly and our new baby. My wife is a driving influence in my life. She drives me to continue to be a better friend, husband, brother, son, and as of over a month ago, a new father.
Also, I stay active in anything and everything related to sports. I play wheelchair basketball with the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks as well as wheelchair softball with the Minnesota Rollin’ Twins. Plus, I recently became certified in Scuba Diving through an organization called Dive Pirates.
Basically, all my hobbies has afforded me the opportunity to improve my quality of life by learning from others in similar situations. Perhaps most importantly, it has allowed me to learn necessary life skills and grow confidence. It allows me to live a completely independent and successful life as a person with a disability,” says Brendan Downes.
