Athlete makes a comeback

At any given moment, a person's whole life can change. Some change for the better while others aren't so fortunate.

Zachary Young's life was changed on Oct. 15, 2005.

"I was on my way to work one morning on my motorcycle when a lady failed to yield to the right of way and I hit her," Young said.

Young was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Young, who is from Jackson, Mo., was a BMX competitor as a teenager and received first place in the national competition at the age of 14.

Young went to college in Orlando, Fla., where he found a job that he loved working on boats. After his life changing accident, he couldn't do the job anymore, and the life he knew made a complete 180.

"When I had my wreck, it switched things up for me," Young said. "I was like 'what am I going to do now?'"

Six years after his accident, Young is now a 28-year-old student at Southeast Missouri State University and is doing things he never thought he would be doing.

The city of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department held a triathlon event on Sept. 10 that consisted of a 700-meter swim, a 15-mile bike ride and a four-mile run.

In the first stage of the Coors Light Triathlon, participants swim 700 meters. - Submitted photo

The event, which was challenging enough for a person in perfect condition, seemed improbable for a disabled person. But Young signed up, competed and finished the race in just over two hours with only a little over a month of training.

"My only goal was just to finish," Young said.

The passion and drive showed by Young to compete in an event like this gives others inspiration.

Participants line up to begin the swimming portion of the Trail of Tears Triathlon. - Submitted photo

"Seeing him compete in the race despite his setbacks and seeing how he pushed himself all the way to the finish made me think there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to push myself to accomplish something that I want," said Southeast student Brian Gregory, who was working at the triathlon. "It was motivational for me to see him compete the way he did,"

Assistant director of Recreation Services Eric Redinger, who is Young's friend, also participated in the triathlon on Sept. 10. As Redinger even put on his Facebook status, the best part of his day was seeing Young compete.

"It's one of those things that you get emotional when you see it," Redinger said. "He's a very inspiring person, just by nature. You see someone like Zach who unfortunately had a motorcycle accident and lost the use of his lower body, and he didn't just give up, he doesn't feel sorry for himself."

Young always has had support from his family and friends. His mother Bonnie Young said at first she wasn't sure that her son would be able to compete in these events but after actually seeing him do it, she realized he could and it now eases her mind.

"I'm so proud of him," Bonnie Young said. "It makes me want to change my life when I see him active when he could be doing nothing. It encourages me to do things."

Less than a month after competing in his first triathlon Young signed up for the Rec-Plex Triathlon that took place Oct. 2 in St. Peters, Mo. He finished second in the men's division for ages 26-39.

"My driving force behind all of this is my faith," Young said. "That is a big deal to me. Since I accepted God in my life he has led me in the direction of sports."

Oct. 15 marked six years since his accident. Young went out to celebrate in honor of how far he has come since then.

"This year has probably been the best year and it's mostly because of sports," Young said.

His family and friends have noticed the impact that this new venture into sports has had on him.

"This journey has had its ups and downs definitely," Bonnie Young said. "Going to school and doing these triathlons gives him a positive mood. He doesn't limit himself because of his situation. He's more independent now, it's almost like he doesn't need me anymore."

Young is able to do a lot of things on his own now and does not have to regularly see a doctor like he did when his accident first occurred. He credits this to eating healthy and working out.

"Being physically fit in a wheel chair just makes everything easier, everyday tasks like getting around this campus are much easier," Young said.

Redinger says that Young is a very nice guy, but when he is in the rec center working out, he's all business.

"I feel very blessed and fortunate to know Zach and to be able to witness his accomplishments," Redinger said. "It just makes you realize how fortunate you are. No matter how bad you think things might be in your life, there are a lot of other people overcoming things you'll never have to experience."

Young has his eyes set on the 2016 Paralympics, which will feature events like archery, judo, triathlons and much more.

"I have six years to train," Young said. "I can do a lot in six years."