World Champion wheelchair athlete continues to spread message of motivation to help our youth to get fit across the nation by Daniel Gotera / 11 Sports khou.com

HOUSTON – It was 29 years ago this month that Kevin Saunders’ life was changed forever. “Thanks to the good Lord I got a second chance,” said Saunders. A grain elevator explosion left him paralyzed from the chest down so that second chance wasn’t going to be easy. “Physical injuries didn’t kill me,” said Saunders. “The self doubt and the deep depression that I went through almost did.” But a wheelchair race a year after the accident in Georgia changed all that. Since then, Kevin has made it a mission to encourage everyone, especially young people, to stay active and never give up. A message he learned through fitness.

“It means a great deal to me to be able to help the young people get excited about improving their education to enable them to make healthier choices for fitness activities and the foods they eat and to be able to make a difference in the communities across America,” said Saunders.