Meet Adaptive Athlete: Ipo Valdez

Ipo grew up in Los Angeles, California where she enjoyed all the perks of life in Southern California. There was no shortage of outdoor activities available in sunny California and she loved to hike with her friends and family, swim at the beach, and do pretty much anything in the sun. They moved to Hawaii where she then graduated from high school and went on to pursue a college degree, completing one year before answering the call to serve our great country. 

 

Ipo enlisted in the United States Army where she served for four years from 2008-2012 as a combat medic. During a deployment to South Korea, she contracted viral meningitis which resulted in severe inflammation of the brain, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and permanent damage to her spinal cord. 

 

After her injury, she spent time in an inpatient therapy facility while still on active duty, then ultimately retired in 2012. She participated in a few adaptive sports clinics and signed up for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in 2016 and 2017 and has been participating ever since. During her time at ATF, Ipo hopes to learn how to be more self-sufficient and confident in herself so she can continue to be a role model for her daughter and others.