MEMPHIS FIT
By Lillian Kay Photo by Tindall Stephens
THE DEDICATION OF A HERO
Tyler Densford is Thriving In and Out of a Wheelchair Tyler Densford, 26, always knew what he wanted to be a military pilot. Before finishing high school, he had already earned his private pilot license. And after completing Basic Military Training, he began a full-time job with the 155th Air Guard Unit in Memphis as an Aircrew Flight Equipment Technician. Before he could fully realize his dream, Tyler was dropped 40 feet from a Blackhawk helicopter during a training exercise in the summer of 2016. He was completely paralyzed from the chest down, forcing him to give up his job in the military and his dream of becoming a pilot. Beyond the trauma of such an accident, he faced the challenge of adjusting to his new physical limitations. He says, “Exercise was therapeutic prior to my injury and I worried about how I could stay active and healthy from a wheelchair. The world became a lot smaller.”
Staying Fit The key to his health, Tyler determined, was not becoming overweight because it would make it more difficult to get in and out of his wheelchair, as well as compromise his shoulder health from pushing around excess weight.
24
“Since my upper body is also taking on the roles of my lower body, I feel like I have an even greater responsibility to take care of myself.”
Although he faces more limitations and fewer opportunities, he’s found numerous ways to make his health succeed. He rides his hand cycle almost every morning, which elevates his heart rate while working his back and shoulders. He also swims regularly, which helps combat the risks of being seated too often. Some of his favorite moments are the weekends he spends at the lake surfing and wakeboarding, and he even helps coach other injured veterans. He got involved in water sports through Wake for Warriors, which provides therapy to injured veterans.
