Loma Linda University Health Team PossAbilities Members Win Medals at Tokyo Paralympics
10 September 2021 | Three Loma Linda University Health Team PossAbilities athletes competed in the August 24 – September 5 Tokyo Paralympics.
According to its website, PossAbilities is a free, Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) non-profit community outreach program. The goal of the program is to “provide those with permanent physical disabilities and veterans support and resources to stay active and healthy in life.”
Shawn Morelli, Courtney Ryan and Ryan Pinney — each of them an LLUH Team PossAbilities member — competed at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Shawn Morelli earned the silver medal in track cycling at the games, the first medal for Team USA.
She later won gold in the cycling time trial event.
The Tokyo Paralympics marks Morelli’s
second appearance for Team USA.
Morelli is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war in Afghanistan. After being injured in 2007, she started competitive para-cycling in 2010 and has been competing in world championships since 2014. She retired as a major in the United States Army.
Courtney Ryan was on the USA women’s wheelchair basketball team that took home bronze.
Ryan Pinney won a bronze medal in the mixed team relay cycling.
