- Featuring Dana Bowman -

Dana Bowman's Story

By Tricia Bowersox

In February 1994, while performing a routine training exercise over Yuma, Ariz., as a member of the Army’s elite Golden Knights parachute team, Bowman’s life as he knew it was instantly altered.  While performing a maneuver known as the diamond track where the team forms a human diamond in midair, Bowman and a teammate collided at a combined speed of 300 mph. Bowman’s left leg was severed below-the-knee; his right leg above-the-knee. His teammate died instantly. For some unknown reason, Bowman’s parachute opened and he landed unconscious in a parking lot.

Lunging into a punishing program of rehabilitation, he wore out four pairs of prostheses in six weeks. "I absolutely had my own personal deadlines,'' he said. It typically takes a double amputee several weeks to get rid of crutches and canes, but Bowman was walking again in three days. Bowman insisted on helping doctors design special prosthetics that allowed him to water ski, snow ski, scuba dive, and bicycle and lead a full, active life. He went to the hospital’s brace and limb shop at night and built his own sockets, which join the remaining leg to the prosthesis. “I didn’t have all my life to wait for equipment,” he said.

Five months after the accident he left Walter Reed hospital to go skydiving as a part of a Golden Knights wedding ceremony. As his strength grew, so did his reputation as a cheerleader for other wounded soldiers. "He was just a real spark plug,'' says Army Under Secretary Joe Reeder, who visited Bowman in the hospital. "His accident would have brought most people down."

Nine months after his accident, through much practice and perseverance, Bowman became the first double amputee to reenlist in the Army.  Subsequently, he became the U.S. parachute team’s lead speaker and recruiting commander.

During his 20 years in the US Army, Bowman’s many activities and honors in the military included being awarded a bronze star for valor in 1989 during the conflict in Panama. He served in the Grenada invasion and speaks fluent Spanish. He also served as a Special Forces soldier, sniper and combat diver.

In 1995, Bowman was honored as Veteran of the Year. In 1996, he made his last jump as a Golden Knight into the opening ceremonies of the Paralympic Games in Atlanta. He retired shortly thereafter. In 2000, he became the first member of his family to earn a college degree and graduated with honors, earning his bachelors’ degree in commercial aviation. Presently, Bowman is the only double amputee commercial helicopter instructor pilot in the world, as well as a commercial hot air balloon pilot.

Bowman has been featured in Reader’s Digest, People Magazine and Sports Illustrated. He has been a guest on Dateline, Real TV and A Current Affair. He has given more than 400 motivational speeches speaking to businesses, schools and community groups his message: It’s not the Disability, It’s the Ability!  His story of overcoming adversity and mastering change demonstrate determination and a drive to succeed!  He often parachutes into events prior to his presentations .Bowman applies the same principles that led to his recovery to success in business and in life.  He motivates organizations and individuals to move from “good to great” through attitude and a willingness to change.  "My message is for everyone young, old, able, disabled. I just want people to see how limitless their lives are. Look at me, I lost everything, and here I am.  If I can do it, anyone can.”

At right,
Dana Bowman interacting with students at a school presentation

For more information on Dana’s presentations, please contact Tricia Bowersox at tbowersox@danabowman.com or call 440-937-9270

Address for Dana Bowman's Web site is

http://www.danabowman.com/