Heath Calhoun is a member of the Paralympic ski team. The 2010 Vancouver Paralympics will be his first Olympic games.

Calhoun joined the military in 1999, and after completing training, was assigned to the 101st Air Division in Iraq. While deployed, he was in a convoy that was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade. He remembers the explosion, but blacked out shortly afterwards. As a result of the attack, he lost both of his legs below the knees. One of his fellow soldiers was killed in the attack.

Calhoun spent nine months at Walter Reed medical center in rehabilitation. He also became involved in sports. In 2008, he decided to train for the Paralympics.

Heath Calhoun has earned several awards, including Ski Race Magazine’s Role model of the year for 2009, and first place in the Super-G event at the US National Championships.

Heath Calhoun is an inspiration, not only because he was willing to sacrifice his legs for his country, but that he was able to move on from his injury.