Meet Adaptive Athlete: Johana Sierra-Nunez

Johana Sierra-Nunez grew up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico where she developed a passion for martial arts, specifically karate. She entered a few competitions and medaled which developed an appreciation for hard work early on. Additionally, she ran cross country and was a part of the police athletic league. She went on to join ROTC in college, which she credits for developing her love for a routine. 

 

She graduated and joined the Army National Guard in 1996 as a medic enlisted private, then an operating room technician in the Army reserve where she picked up a commission to become an officer in the Air Force. She became a Critical Care Transport nurse and was a part of five deployments to Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Germany, and Qatar. During a 2018 mission in Sri Lanka, Johana collapsed unexplainably and began to experience numbness across her body. 

 

Doctors discovered lesions on her brain and cervical spine and diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis. The lesions developed more rapidly and her symptoms became worse, eventually leading to severe loss of movement in her left side. Additionally she was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

 

Throughout the physical and occupational therapy her symptoms worsened yet she continued to battle through injections and adverse reactions. Johana was eventually told she would be medically retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. 

 

The separation coupled with the MS diagnosis was very tough on her and she distanced herself from friends and family. Adaptive sports have been a relief for her as she experienced surfing and archery, which she hopes to continue exploring during her time at ATF. She wants to build her confidence back and learn how to push her body again.