In 2017, Derek and some friends went out to enjoy a boat day on the water. Not realizing how shallow the water was, Derek dove into the water and his head hit the bottom. Thankfully, Derek’s friends acted quickly to get him to shore and get help, but the accident resulted in a C4 C5 spinal cord injury and Derek was paralyzed from the chest down.

Since then, Derek has worked hard to regain independence in his recovery. In 2023, he found himself needing a new manual wheelchair, as that allows him the most independence. This item was not something that Derek’s insurance would cover, which left him unsure how he would be able to get a new manual wheelchair.

With a Victory Scholarship, Derek was able to receive his new manual wheelchair and keep working towards reaching his goals.

“This scholarship gave me the opportunity to stay on track when it comes to my rehabilitation as a quadriplegic. I am so thankful for Victoria’s Victory Foundation!”