Meet Adaptive Athlete: Jacob Keen

Jacob is originally from Ledbetter, Texas. He enjoyed playing sports growing up. He also loved acting in theatre, participating in rodeos, and wood carving. He likes hobbies that have a community aspect. After high school, Jacob earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film Production and has worked in production and lighting design for film and television.

 

In April 2025, Jacob was riding his bicycle to work when he was struck by a truck at an intersection in Brooklyn, New York. The accident led to Jacob getting a below-knee amputation. While he has kept a positive outlook about his future, he has faced his share of challenges post-injury, including losing his job and girlfriend and needing to move to a different city. However, he is grateful for his life and the positive support network of friends and family that has helped him through the tough times.

 

Jacob hopes his ReDefine experience will help him gain confidence in trying new things and entering new situations without worrying about how his leg might hold him back. Physically, he wants to be able to complete a three-day bike camping journey as well as learn to stand up and pedal his bike like he could before his amputation. Jacob’s mental goal is to develop a better understanding of who he is and grow in emotional intelligence to avoid letting mental health challenges hold him back in life.