Paralympian says he fell in love with sled hockey as a youngster

Published: 2006-03-13

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CNS) -- Chris Manns was not even a teenager when he lost the use of both his legs in a train accident. The Buffalo, N.Y., youngster was jumping train cars and fell. He was lucky the accident didn't kill him, but it did result in a bilateral amputation. He lost his left foot as well as his right leg above the knee. That's when an 11-year-old Manns was introduced to sled hockey, a sport that would give him direction and focus, and lead him to elite competition. Manns, now 25, was named to his second U.S. Paralympics sled hockey team, which was competing in this year's Paralympic Games March 10-19 in Turin, Italy. He was in Colorado Springs in early February for the USA Cup at World Arena. While it's easy to get caught up in competing at a high level, he keeps it in perspective while maintaining a strong Catholic faith. "God's given me a second chance in life, as to where other people who go through this don't survive or don't have the ability to do what I have done," Manns said. "Every time I can praise the Lord for giving me a second chance and giving me the opportunity to be where I am today, I take advantage of it."

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