Meet Adaptive Athlete: Dan Licardo

Dan grew up in Gloversville, New York. He enjoyed any activity that kept him active, including playing football, swimming, and skiing (both water and snow). From the age of 13, Dan knew that he wanted to become a Navy SEAL. After graduating high school, Dan enlisted in the US Navy and accomplished his dream, operating as a SEAL for 16 years. His career included several deployments in Central and South America as well as Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.

 

In September 2018, Dan was driving in Flower Mound, Texas when he experienced a TBI-induced seizure, resulting in his vehicle crossing six lanes of traffic and crashing into a tree at a high rate of speed. The accident resulted in a lower-body bilateral amputation - one leg above-knee and one leg below-knee. Dan describes his journey post-injury as being a rollercoaster ride while playing a game of Operation. He had to learn how to exercise patience as well as set his ego and pride aside.

 

Dan’s personal goal for his ReDefine experience is to gain confidence dealing with everyday challenges, not only for himself but also for his son. He wants to gain the physical strength needed to get back into his prosthetics and out of his wheelchair. Mentally, Dan is working to learn how to live in the present and experience each moment instead of being preoccupied with the past and the future.