Meet Adaptive Athlete: Nicholas Vasquez

Nicholas Vasquez grew up in Redlands, California and was extremely active growing up. He ran cross country as well as played soccer and baseball. In addition to his love for sports, Nicholas played the guitar throughout his adolescence. He is currently pursuing a degree in nutrition from San Bernardino Valley College. 

 

On Mother’s Day in 2012, while attending San Diego State University as a freshman,  Nicholas fell from a four story building and sustained a major traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in his being in  a medically induced coma for a month. He went through a rehab program for eight months following his hospital stay. 

 

Throughout his recovery, Nicholas has had a number of surgeries and still has trouble walking without assistance. Despite the complications, he has made a habit of going to the gym five days a week and working consistently to improve mobility and motor skills post injury. 

 

While at ATF, Nicholas hopes to get stronger mentally and physically in order to gain more independence and take some load off of his family. He aims to walk on his own and see how other people who have gone through similar traumatic brain injuries have worked on their memory and mental faculties.