Thank you to CAF-Idaho athlete Kevin Peter for interviewing Bruce and compiling the story below, and to Bruce Cooper for sharing his journey.

Bruce Cooper’s story begins with service and evolves into a testament of what’s possible when determination meets community support. After sustaining combat-related injuries during his military career, Bruce faced a new reality. He discovered something unexpected: a thriving community of adaptive athletes and a world of sports waiting to be explored. 

From Combat Injuries to Athletic Achievement

Bruce Cooper, an avid and intrepid adaptive multisport athlete and outdoorsman, displays all the qualities CAF hopes to promote.  His journey as an adaptive athlete has been one of rediscovery, beginning after he sustained multiple combat-related injuries during military service.  Bruce suffered service-related traumatic brain injuries, neck and back injuries, and ongoing ataxia.  These all pose significant physical challenges for Bruce, yet he has learned that limitations do not have to define achievements. CAF has played an important role in helping Bruce remain active, independent, and connected to a community of athletes who refuse to let disability determine what is possible. 

Bruce participates in handcycling, adaptive mountain biking, sit-skiing, archery, hunting, and whitewater activities, depending on the season. His current focuses are handcycling and whitewater activities. Handcycling allows him to train, compete, explore new places, and maintain both physical and mental health, while whitewater activities provide adventure, challenge, and an opportunity to continue serving others through river safety and support.  Bruce recently completed the challenging 250-mile, multi-day Soldier Ride from Washington, D.C. to New York City, testing his endurance, determination, and resilience while connecting with fellow veterans. He also competed in the 38-mile Rudy Roubaix Gravel race and 31-mile Wieser River Trail Ultra this summer. 

Bruce plans to continue participating in long-distance cycling events, adaptive mountain biking adventures, and endurance challenges, including the High Mountain Triathlon later this year.   Bruce demonstrates that disability does not limit what adaptive athletes can achieve. He urges others to stay involved, saying, “I hope my journey encourages others to stay active, embrace adaptation, and continue pursuing the activities they love.” 

What Newly-Injured Athletes Can Take Away: Transition Takes Time

Bruce’s transition to adaptive sports wasn’t immediate. Like many veterans navigating life after service-related injuries, he had to redefine what physical activity could look like. The physical effects of his injuries are ongoing and complex. Yet Bruce found that limitations exist only when you accept them as boundaries. 

Through the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Bruce gained access to adaptive equipment and connected with a community that understood his journey. CAF’s support opened doors to so many sports. Each sport offered something different, each season bringing new opportunities for adventure and growth. 

Handcycling: More Than Transportation

With handcycling currently serving as one of Bruce’s primary focuses, now is a good time to look at what the sport can offer and why it’s a favorite of many athletes with physical disabilities. The sport offers multiple benefits that extend beyond physical fitness! Through handcycling, athletes train their body, compete against themselves and others, explore new terrain, and maintain both physical and mental health. The rhythmic motion and outdoor exposure create a moving meditation, while the technical aspects keeping the mind engaged. 

The Soldier Ride from Washington, D.C. to New York City that Bruce tackled recently demonstrates exactly how sport brings people together. This particular event unites veterans from across the country, creating bonds through shared miles and shared experiences. Bruce’s 38-mile Rudy Roubaix Gravel race and the 31-mile Wieser River Trail Ultra further demonstrate that endurance racing remains well within reach for athletes using adaptive equipment.