Meet Adaptive Athlete: Danny Oquendo

Danny grew up just down the road from ATF in Little Elm, Texas where he grew up in love with the sport of baseball, playing from the time he was four years old until he graduated high school. Along with baseball, he also participated in basketball, powerlifting, tennis, and track & field. Danny found his athletic ability from an early age and has held onto it throughout his life. 

 

In September of 2023, Danny was driving and was involved in an accident during which he was side swiped off the road and crashed into a guard rail. The impact flipped his vehicle upside down, pinning Danny’s arm, which was hanging out of the window, under the car and crushing it. 

 

While in the hospital, surgeons tried multiple times to save the arm but at the same time Danny suffered a ruptured bypass that resulted in severe internal bleeding. In an effort to save his life, doctors made the decision to amputate the arm at the shoulder. He was then released a short period later after ten surgeries. 

 

Upon returning home, Danny woke up to reality and realized his battle living without his left arm has just begun. He struggled a lot of self doubt and self image on how he would go back to his day to day life. 

 

Danny wants to use the ReDefine program to learn how to push his body and mind again. He relies heavily on his faith in God and believes he was led to this place for a reason. Through his love of personal training and the skills he will develop at ATF, Danny wants to be able to inspire others and improve their mindsets despite any setbacks they may face.