This is the 3rd in a Series – Enjoy!

On March 2^nd, Josh Sundquist served as the keynote speaker to launch the development campaign for the new Children’s Hospital at the University of Virginia. As a former patient and long time advocate for the quality, life-saving care he received at UVA, Josh used his gifts as a motivational speaker to challenge the audience to support this important cause. 

 Josh, a cancer survivor who lost his leg due to Ewing’s Sarcoma, battled back in his early years of rehabilitation learning to three-track ski (skiing on one ski with two handheld outriggers) at Massanutten Adaptive Snow Sports, in Harrisonburg, VA. Several years and thousands of hours of dedicated commitment and hard work helped Josh to complete his goal of making the United States Paralympics team.  Wearing the uniform for “USA” and competing for his country in the 2006 in Torino, Italy was a lifelong dream comes true. 

Josh used his keen sense of humor, inspirational antidotes from life lessons he has learned as a cancer survivor, Paralympian, and those he acquired as a successful motivational speaker, author and businessman to engage the crowd. Looking around the room at Alumni Hall, it was very apparent that Josh’s message was touching the hearts of all who came to the event.  The full gamut of emotions swept through the room as Josh shared his stories — people in the crowd shed some tears and also laughed at Josh’s humorous antics.

The highlight of my evening was when I got to have Josh sign my copy of his new national bestseller “Just Don’t Fall.” As Josh continued to pursue his life goals, going to college, training for the Paralympics, and speaking all over the country, our paths did not cross.  While we have corresponded by mail, and email for several years, I had not seen Josh since he was 11 years old when I first taught him to 3-track ski.  I must say, skiing all day up in Pennsylvania and then coming back to Charlottesville to hear Josh speak in the evening was a great birthday gift. 

Thanks Josh!

P.S.  Just Don’t Fall  is a GREAT READ!  I highly recommend it for anyone who is in need of some inspiration!  Josh will have you crying, laughing, and deciding it is time to Go For It!

Filed under: Therapeutic Adventures