Formers Shriners Children’s Greenville Patient Hopes to Make History at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris
Former Shriners Children’s Greenville patient Brian Bell discovered his love for wheelchair basketball when he was just 12 years old.
The nonprofit helped lead him to his passion after he experienced a train accident two years prior, which resulted in him losing his right leg. Today, he’s headed into his third Paralympics on the U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, and hopes to make history and get the team to its third consecutive gold medal.
“Shriners Children’s Greenville helped provide everything for my family, including transportation, meals and lodging, since we were traveling a bit of a way from my hometown in Birmingham, Alabama, to Greenville, South Carolina, for my treatment,” said Bell. “They did everything and beyond to help me get a prosthetic.
"There was always a room full of doctors and expertise regarding my treatment and my leg. They’re willing to help you along with your journey. Shriners Children’s got me back on my feet. I voiced how passionate I was about being active again and doing all the things I used to do, and they helped keep me accountable, making sure I did all my rehab drills and exercises. Shriners Children’s is a great hospital and organization.”
I voiced how passionate I was about being active again and doing all the things I used to do, and they helped keep me accountable, making sure I did all my rehab drills and exercises.
Bell was on the Men's U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball Team when they won gold in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and 2016 Rio Paralympics. Bell is also a three-time gold medalist at Parapans and a three-time medalist at Worlds. He also won a NWBA Division I National Championship with the Golden State Road Warriors in 2023.
“I’ve talked to kids who have experienced a similar accident over the years, along with their parents and families, and sometimes the older you get when you experience an accident, the harder it can be to get used to living a life without all of your limbs,” said Bell. “It doesn’t mean you can't accomplish great things or represent your country at the highest level possible. It takes time, dedication and patience. I didn't make my first two senior teams when I tried out. You can do anything you want, even post injury. You work with what you're given and make the best out of it. After something happens, you can still go on to accomplish great things and represent your country.”
The U.S. Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team will play their first game in the Paralympics in Paris on Aug. 29. Bell currently resides in the Bay Area in California with his family.
