Meet Adaptive Athlete: Curtis Rowe

Curtis is originally from Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up, he enjoyed skateboarding. After graduating high school in 2005, Curtis enlisted in the Army as a Cavalry Scout in 2007. He deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in service, eventually becoming a senior scout and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Curtis also faced his share of challenges during his time in the Army. He struggled with negative mental health such as depression and suicidal thoughts, and his experiences on deployment left him with survivor’s guilt.

 

In 2021, Curtis was riding his motorcycle when a distracted driver ran a red light and hit his right side at 45 miles per hour. After the wreck he was a limb salvage, unable to walk for seven months. He underwent nine surgeries and finally had his leg amputated in May 2024. In addition to the physical and mental ramifications, his injury severely affected his relationships with his wife and daughter. He eventually was able to work through the challenges and saw his life improve.

 

Curtis plans to use his ReDefine experience to make new friends and learn from the experiences of other athletes in his class. Physically, he wants to increase his strength and become healthier. Curtis also wants to develop a more resilient mindset and adopt positive self-talk habits. He wants to set a good example for his daughter and continue becoming the best father and husband possible.