Christopher James Pruitt 

Christopher James Pruitt
Born: February 24, 1986
Originally from: Chinook Montana

Family
My mother’s name is Frances and my father’s name is Jimmy. I have three sisters (Tina, Belinda, Ashley) and one brother ( Jhawn). I also have at least 14 nieces and nephews, and too many cousins to count!

Type of disability
On September 15, 2014, I was in a boating accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury at the C4 and C5 level, with a fusion surgery of the C3-C7.

Sports activities and hobbies participated in before disability
My past activities and hobbies included junior rodeo, 4H club, student council, track and field, AAA wrestling, drama club, skiing, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, ATV and dirt bike off-roading. I also love kayaking, water sports, running, paddle boarding, beach trips, cave exploration, snorkeling, dancing, going to concerts, dining out with friends, going to music festivals, art shows, museums, playing video games, cooking, baking and many others. Because of my level of injury, I cannot participate in most of these activities—yet. I strive every day to find new ways to enjoy what I can do—and look for ways to develop the abilities to do more.

Goals
My main goal is to re-gain as much independence as possible. Being a quadriplegic, I have had to learn to cope with life. Everything is different and even the smallest things have to be done differently. This includes driving, working, and balancing a healthy and active lifestyle. I hope I can help others that have gone through similar situations. I want to volunteer my time and knowledge, to raise awareness to the dangers of drinking while doing recreational sporting activities such as boating.

Home life
My family lives in Montana, and I live with two roommates in Orlando. I did not have insurance at the time of my accident, so I rely on Medicaid and Social Security disability for care. I am currently working with vocational rehab to reintegrate myself into the workforce. My work experience included event planning and coordination; I am looking for something in the same field. I am single, without children.

Point level/years played
0.5 functionality / First year

Benefits from rugby
Since joining The Orlando CLASH rugby team, I have gained more strength, stamina, a better outlook on life, and have gained a sense of belonging.I have learned more about my disability and ways to overcome it. You can find strength and stare adversary dead in the face, when you know you’re not fighting the battle alone.

Kalleb Lopes Menezes

Born: April 04, 1989

Originally from: Brazil

Family
My mother’s name is Helenice; she passed away in a car accident in 2003. My father’s name is Roberto; I have two brothers, Roberto Jr. and Gabriel. I also have one niece, aunts, and grandfathers.

Type of disability
On January 30, 2005, I contracted meningitis due to an error in a surgical procedure; this resulted in a spinal cord injury at C6-T2.

Sports activities and hobbies participated in before disability
I enjoyed riding bicycles, playing football and soccer, swimming, running, watching professional boxing and other television shows, listening to music, and more. Because of my injury level, I am now unable to participate in some of these activities. However, that does not keep me down. I strive every day to find new ways to enjoy what I can do and strive to do more.

Goals
My main goal is to re-gain as much independence as possible. As a quadriplegic, I have had to learn how to cope with life. Everything is different: familiar activities—everyday stuff—has to be done differently. This includes driving, working, and balancing a healthy and active lifestyle. I hope I can help others that have to go through similar situations like mine. By volunteering my time and knowledge, I want to raise awareness to the dangers of drinking while playing recreational sporting activities, such as racing cars.

Home life
My family lives in Brazil, but I live in Central Florida with my aunt and two roommates. Since I was not insured at the time of the accident, my family sends financial help. At this time, I am single and have no children.

Point level/years played
2.5 Functionally / Second year

Benefits from rugby
Since joining The Orlando clash rugby team, I have gained more strength, stamina, and a better overall emotional well-being. I have also learned more about my disability and various ways to overcome it. I have discovered that I can find strength when I know I’m not fighting the battle alone.