Chris Waddell

Chris Waddell, a Paralympic sit-skier and wheelchair track athlete, originally began his athletic career as a promising able-bodied skier while attending Middlebury College in Vermont. However, a skiing accident caused a significant change in his career trajectory, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Despite the accident, Waddell found new ways to excel in athletics. As a sit-skier, he won medals in the 1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002 Winter Paralympics. His talents also extended to wheelchair track racing, where he represented the USA at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Paralympics. His performance at the Sydney Paralympic Games was particularly memorable, as he clinched a silver medal in the 200m T53 event. In 2004, he went on to set a T53 world record for the 200m distance.

The sports world took note of Waddell's accomplishments, and he was inducted into the National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame in 2006. This recognition was followed by another significant milestone in 2010, when he was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame.

Waddell also made history in 2009 when he became the first paraplegic to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This achievement earned him recognition as the 2010 Shining Star of Perseverance Honoree by the WillReturn Council of Assurant Employee Benefits, an honor given to those who overcome disabilities to succeed in the workplace and society.

Besides his athletic pursuits, Waddell is also an accomplished writer. In 2015, he released his first book, "Things I Want to Remember Not to Forget." This book was based on his Middlebury College Commencement Speech and earned him a spot on NPR's list of The Best Graduation Speeches, Ever. He has also written three children’s books, including "Is It Lonely to Be a Four-Leaf Clover." Through his writings, he emphasizes the tenet, “It's not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens to you.”

As the founder of One Revolution and Nametags, Waddell actively works to see the world positively. He presents to students throughout the world and mentors speaker athletes, always striving to challenge himself and to push the boundaries of what others perceive as achievable.