Scot Severn
On Aug. 14, 1989, Scot Severn was on duty with the U.S. Army Reserves at Camp Grayling in Michigan, when he was stuck by lightning. The direct hit threw him 40 feet and caused external as well as internal burns. The damage left him as an incomplete quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair for daily activities.
Severn began bowling soon after his accident, and today competes in three leagues per week. He did not start participating in wheelchair sports until 2003, when he met some individuals who were already involved in competitive wheelchair sports. In 2004, Severn went to his first State wheelchair games in Michigan and Ohio, as well as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and won medals in most of his events.
In 2008, Severn made his Paralympic Games debut, competing in the men's discus F53/54 and the men's shot put F53/54.
Severn is also involved in the handcycling world, and on Labor Day 2006, he crossed the Mackinaw Bridge with Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He believes wheelchair sports fill a void left by the lightning bolt 18 years ago. He currently serves as the Sports Director for the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America and serves on the Michigan DNR Accessibility Advisory Council.
Severn graduated from Saginaw Valley State University in 1994, and married his wife, Brenda, that same year. They now have three children, Nicole (9), Kyle (7) and Colton (6).
Major Achievements:
- 2008: U.S. Paralympic Team member, Track & Field - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
- 2008: First place, Javelin and Discus; American Record, Shot Put - U.S. Paralympic Trials-Track and Field, Tempe, Ariz.
- 2008: Best overall Field Athlete at the Michigan Wheelchair Games.
- 2007: MVP - Heartland North Regional Rugby Tournament
- 2006: Member of Michigan Storm Wheelchair Rugby team that was inducted into the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame as a Athletes of the Year
- 2005: MVP - Michigan Wheelchair Games
- 2005: MVP - Ohio Wheelchair Games
- 2005: Inducted into Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame as the Athlete of the Year
