Matt Standridge

On April 15, 2003, I became one of the first persons with disabilities to trek to the base camp of Mt. Everest (17,500 ft. above sea level). It was probably the best day of my life after the worst day of my life.

I was 18 years old and on April 30, 1997, my life changed forever. Involved in a motorcycle accident, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down and not wanting to give up on myself or my life, I began to search for ways to motivate myself and others. First, I researched everything a person could do in a wheelchair. I started with sports, moved on to motivational speaking. Being a thrill seeker, I enjoyed skiing (water and snow) and skydiving. Then the biggest thrill of all…trekking through the Himalayas to the base camp of Mt. Everest.

Presented the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to join Team Everest ’03, a campaign to raise the awareness that people with disabilities are able to shatter the stereotypes of the disabled.

Carlos Salinas

My name is Carlos Salinas. I was born on May, 5, 1986 in Mexico City, Mexico and the eldest of 3 siblings. I was involved in a severe life and death car accident that left me permanently paralyzed (T6) from the waist down on November 8, 2005. I have been married to my beautiful and supportive wife, Anna Salinas, for 9 years. I am currently helping the Houston Methodist hospital in their first exoskeleton research program. I am also currently playing for the first ever University of Houston Wheelchair Tennis Team. Also, I was the spring 2016 President for the University of Houston’s Adaptive Athletics organization. I am currently a junior at the University of Houston, and am hoping that I will finally receive my Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain-Logistics Technology in May 2017.