Ana
My name is Ana Jermstad and on August 3rd, 2023, my life changed suddenly after I broke my neck diving into a sandbar at my favorite lake in Michigan (Higgins), resulting in a burst fracture at my fifth cervical vertebra. Almost three years out from my injury, I have jumped into the world of wheelchair basketball and adaptive sports full swing. I live in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in Health Sciences in May 2021. I will be attending graduate school in Fall 2026 at the University of Michigan to pursue a master’s in social work. I found a new passion in wheelchair basketball just three months into my recovery. I now play on two teams: the Charlottesville Cardinals, a D3 co-ed team, and the Virginia Vortex, an inaugural women’s team. With support from the KBF Active Fund, I received a Top End Paul Schulte 7000 Series Basketball Chair, which has transformed my game, enabling me to fully engage in adaptive sports like basketball and pickleball. Basketball has given me joy, freedom, and profound empowerment. On the court, my limitations fade, and I feel liberated, surrounded by a community of individuals who share similar challenges and triumphs. The camaraderie, acceptance, and bonds I’ve formed extend far beyond the sport. Wheelchair basketball has become my guiding light, inspiring me through the darkest moments of recovery and symbolizing the possibilities of a fulfilling life after injury. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, purpose, and resilience this sport has brought into my life.