Steve Daniel has every reason to feel unfair, but now he's happier than ever.
Three years ago, the former Canadian Armed Forces sergeant was paralysed from the waist down after a parachuting accident, now he's a record-breaking athlete and is aiming for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games as an adaptive rower, an entirely different battle.
"I felt very happy to be named in the Canadian Paralympic rowing team. I know that the upcoming days will be an thrilling experience. The Canadian athletes have done a good job in the Beijing Olympics, and we are here hoping to pull off a good showing too," Daniel told Xinhua.
"It is special for the rowers to participate in this level and especially when the event is making its first appearance in the Paralympics, all the athletes are hoping to make marks with their very first step.
"I am excited to represent my nation again at the most important disabled sporting event in the world, and will do my best to make Canada proud, especially the men and women in uniform who I know will be cheering the loudest from their places of duty around the globe," the 34-year-old added.
Born in South Canada's Sudbury on June 23, 1974, Daniel has had a long battle to get where he is now.
Joining the army right out of high school at the age of 19, Daniel served 14 years with the Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa where part of his duties included parachute instructing.
Three years ago while serving his country, Daniel's future changed when he had a free-fall parachuting accident while conducting a course. The day's jump was his 102nd.
"I was falling too fast and didn't realize how fast I was going," said Daniel, recalling the day of his accident.