My story started as a resident when i was training to be a surgeon. I was diagnosed with lupus. By early 90's I had a variety of problems and I was put on medical leave after a short career in the medical field. In my world everything kind of stopped. I tried a variety of things, but it just wasn't quite the same. Eventually treatment kind of worked and i started to do bits of things again. Then in 2002-03 i was backed down by a car leading to multiple complications. When i finally woke up i could not walk. I eventually learnt how to walk again. Meanwhile the arthritis had chewed up my joints. There was no way my hands could operate again. I started to take a rational look at life again. I loved animals, horses in particular. I had been riding since i was 12 and was happiest when i was doing so. So, i thought horseback riding. I had to figure out how i would even be strong enough to get up on a horse. A chance meeting with a friend led me to investigate parasports, sports in parallel for people with disabilities. I worked very hard, found people who believed in me and eventually made it to the 2012 US Paralympic Team in London and did very well. I have competed in many parasport events since. Now, i cannot ride a horse. Turns out, sitting in a carriage elegantly, wearing clothes like a lady should, you can drive a horse in a carriage. So today i am embarking on my new career as a carriage driver !!