Practical and Poignant Life Skills
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Persevere, yet be flexible, advises double leg amputee and two-time gold medalist
By Dianna Troyer
How do you find new meaning in life after the loss of both legs above the knee?
At age 22, that question confronted Marine Corps sniper Josh Sweeney, who stepped on an improvised explosive device while in Afghanistan during his second tour of duty.
During his lengthy recovery, the Nampa resident, now 39, found his answer in sports and competed on two United States Paralympic teams.
Josh described his remarkable journey from recovery to becoming the only Paralympian to win gold medals in two different sports: ice hockey at the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, and the 4-by-2.5-kilometer Nordic skiing relay this year in Milan, Italy.
“Be open to new adventures, never give up, but at the same time be flexible,” Josh advised teens during his presentation at the weeklong Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally in early July at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa.
Nearly 90 delegates from 18 Northwest co-ops participated.
Northern Lights, Inc. sponsored returning youth director Natalie McEachern.
Josh says playing sports was a key to his physical and mental rehabilitation.
“It gave me structure, goals, a purpose, a sense of community and a way to continue representing the United States,” he said.
Josh learned about the U.S. Paralympic hockey team during his rehabilitation in San Antonio, Texas, and tried out.
“I played hockey growing up and knew how to read plays, so that was a reason coaches picked me for the team,” he said.
“I was honored to be the captain. During the final game with Russia, one of their defensemen fumbled and coughed up the puck near me. I took the shot to score the game-winning goal in the second period. We won, 1-0.”
He shared a mindset that has helped him compete in several sports. “Let go of failures and setbacks,” Josh said.
“Allow curiosity to be your compass. Take action even though you may not feel ready.”
A well-rounded athlete, Josh later competed in cycling and triathlon. He eventually heard about Nordic skiing competitions through the Nampa-based nonprofit Idaho Adaptive Sports and qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Nordic ski team.
“For the next Paralympics, I’d like to be on the biathlon team,” he said. “I’ve been shooting and skiing for years.”
Josh also coaches other disabled athletes and launched a home-based business, JS Adaptive Sports, to make adaptive equipment for athletes.
Another speaker, Carla Wherry, a community resource coordinator for the Jae Foundation in Twin Falls, spoke of suicide prevention.
“How many people know of someone who died by suicide?” she asked.
More than half of the teenagers raised their hands.
“My son (Jae) died that way,” she says.
“Remember, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
Carla says Jae’s longtime friend, Jason Vickery, launched the foundation to prevent suicide and honor Jae. The foundation gives away cowboy boots, one of Jae’s favorite things, to remind recipients they are loved and needed. The gift represents a “boot check” to see if family and friends need to talk.
Speaker Shauna Sauer described how she founded the nonprofit Don’t Let Your Send Be the End after her daughter, Taylor, died in a crash near King Hill.
Taylor had been texting at night when she drove into the back of a slow-moving tanker truck.
Besides listening to speakers, teens learned how electricity is produced and delivered, formed their own co-ops, learned about careers and gained life skills including personal finance and car repair.
They also toured the state Capitol, watched a safety demonstration, performed in a talent show, spent a day at a water park, attended a formal banquet and dance, earned scholarships and made friends.
“Coming back as a director allowed me to grow as a leader and have an unforgettable time making amazing memories with all my new friends,” Natalie says.
She encourages area teens to apply to attend Youth Rally.
“It is really an inspiring experience where you get a chance to win scholarships, grow as a person and make new friends.”
September Is Suicide Awareness Month, and Help Is Available
The region from Montana southward has been referred to as the Suicide Belt because suicide rates in the rural West are higher than the national average, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A sense of isolation, attitudes of self-reliance and difficulty asking for help, along with a lack of professional counseling services in rural areas were cited as reasons. Also, suicide rates are disproportionately higher among farmers and ranchers compared to other occupations. More than 50% of people who die by suicide show no warning signs and have no diagnosis of a mental health condition, according to the CDC.
The following resources offer help:
- Call or text 988 to reach the 24/7 nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. People who call a suicide hotline often attribute their despondency to finances, deteriorating mental and physical health, chemical addiction and emotionally painful relationships.
- The Jae Foundation, established in 2021, gives away cowboy boots as a reminder that people should check on each other or take a few “boot check” moments to talk to someone and offer a connection, hope and healing. Visit jaefoundation.com.
- Ask in Earnest, askinearnest.org, was created by Darla Tyler-McSherry in 2018 after her father died by suicide on his Montana farm.
- Idaho State Department of Agriculture provides stories of Idaho farmers overcoming tragedy and depression, along with resources for farmers and ranchers, at tinyurl.com/yb5k4cs2.
- Project Semicolon is a nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Organizers chose the semicolon because it represents a sentence the author could have ended but chose not to. Visit projectsemicolon.com.
