BUFFALO, N.Y. - There’s no question, Josh Brunner is a machine on water skis.
"It gets me kind of that feeling of adrenaline rush and just kind of freeing," said Josh.
He navigates the wake like a pro, though he’s only been doing it for a few years.
But Josh isn’t like everyone out on the water, not by a long shot.
"I’m a T-6 Paraplegic and it actually happened from having mono. The virus got in my spinal cord and formed a mass of what’s called histiocyte's, which are overactive white blood cells," said Josh.
It was 9 years ago Josh was trying out surfing for the first time.
It would also be his last as that’s when his spine pinched the mass causing his paralysis.
"So when I went to get out of the water after surfing, I couldn’t stand up," said Josh.
Since then, he’s relied on his wheelchair to get around, but he’s never let that get in the way of his ambitions.
"This is the card I’m dealt, I’m gonna push through it, I’m either gonna prove them wrong and walk again or I’m gonna do what I can to live my life and do the activities that I can do," said Josh.
Which brings us back to the water.
A place where Josh can go back to the way life used to be.
"It’s a freeing opportunity because you get to get out of the chair and do something that you’re not relying on the wheelchair anymore, you’re out there kind of gliding and having fun thinking about, you know, really nothing. It’s kind of a mind freeing thing, " said Josh.
Josh is able to experience this feeling thanks to Western New York Adaptive Water Sports, a group of volunteers who take those with disadvantages out on the water at no cost.
Stephen Spitz, a member of WNY Adaptive Water Sports says, "We’re looking at giving equal access to waterfront and waterfront activities to people of all abilities, disabled, disadvantaged you name it.”
"And to allow other people to see what they could be doing or can be doing.” added Tony Anderson, Vice President of WNY Adaptive Water Sports.
And Josh has been doing a lot. He gives back to the group helping to teach others like him learn how to water ski.
And he’s not alone. On board the boat you’ll find his fiancée, Sarah, who’s with him on every run.
”I think a lot of people should see him, a lot of people should talk to him, a lot of people should know his story." Sarah adds, "He’s the most motivated person I think I’ve ever met, which is one reason why I fell in love with him. So to see him get out there and to see him do that good is just, it’s incredible.”
Western New York Adaptive Water Sports holds free water ski clinics once a month, and will be at Gallagher Beach this Sunday, August 21st from 10 am to 3 pm.
But water skiing isn't the only service they offer; they also hold sailing, fishing and scuba diving clinics for those interested. You can find out more about these at their website, wnyadaptivewatersports.org