As a journalist I have been able to cover stories and take pictures of people with disabilities who are so inspiring.

Retired Sgt. First Class Dana Bowman, a paraplegic and former member of an elite parachute team, the Golden Knights, was very inspiring this fourth of July when he parachuted down into the stage for hundreds of people watching and gave a speech.

No disability can hold you back, Bowman said, not even two missing legs.

“It doesn’t matter because each and every one of us has a disability,” Bowman said. “Your disabilities are the things you think you cannot do.”

So many people with disabilities are just as inspiring as Bowman, such as Mike Benge who can climb a rock wall just using his arms.

It really just goes to show that only your mind can hold yourself back. The paralympics proves this.

Photo 1: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.— Retired Sgt. First Class Dana Bowman parachutes from a helicopter while waving a giant American flag during the Fourth of July Freedom Fest at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort here, July 3.

Photos 2, 3: PHOENIX, Ariz. — Members of the Banner Phoenix Wheelchair Suns, as well as visitors, play a game of wheelchair basketball at the Virginia G. Piper Sports Fitness Center for People with Disabilities, also known as SpoFit, during a wounded warrior open house here, April 6. Wounded Warriors, a program to help wounded servicemembers transition back into civilian life, has connected with SpoFit to make servicemembers and their families aware of the resources available at the gym.

Photos 4, 5: PHOENIX—Mike Benge, who has a spinal cord injury, prepares to climb a rock wall at SpoFit.