Hi all, my name is Alex De La Campa. I am 27 years old and I am now a retired veteran of the United States Navy. I spent 4 years in Naval special warfare and in 2012 while on active duty I was involved in an accident that resulted not only in the loss of physical but mental and cognitive capabilities. A severe injury to my inner ear and a TBI (traumatic brain injury) left me with little to do but spend a painfully slow 14 month recovery with things like: relearning how to walk in straight lines, closing my eyes without losing proprioception, bed ridden with migraines and neurological impairments. I wasn’t prepared for my time in the military to end so abruptly, I loved my job so when it was time for me to move on I had nothing really to move on to. This transition brought with it it’s own set of unique challenges and up until that point I had always defined myself on my ability to not only meet a challenge but dominate the opportunity to overcome an obstacle. These challenges were different–they are different— and I fight them every day, they continue to challenge me when I least expect it and am most unprepared. I spent a lot of time wringing bottles of Jameson dry and asking myself if I was worth the effort. I’m currently a sociology Major set to graduate in 2016, this is something I didn’t plan on doing before I joined and something I didn’t think I would be able to do after my injury. I am back in the gym and am luckily under the advisement of Dr. Theresa Larson, I have a redefined view on fitness, health and the amazingly resilient structure that is the human body.
What I have come to understand about myself and my one trait that I used to admire, but that I had seemed to loose after my injury and the one I had always defined myself by: My mental fortitude, I found that ability for perseverance and self talk, has actually been the one trait that has gotten me through. So its nice to know I still got the goods. I am still a sucker for being able to fly.