PORTLAND, Ore. -- Josiah Shuermyer is a track superstar at David Douglas.
“I’m the reigning state champ in the para-athlete 400,” he said.
He was born without the use of his legs, but he never let that stop him.
“That is how we want to be treated as, not disabled. I hate that word," Josiah said.
Josiah will be watching the Winter Paralympics. It is the largest one ever. He's got big plans to be a competitor in the next few years.
“Just because his legs don't work doesn't mean he's not athletic,” said Josiah’s mom, Gina Shuermyer. “We just figured out how to support him in doing athletics in other ways; wheelchair basketball, archery from his wheelchair, track with a track chair.”
Gina says her son showed natural athletic ability even in physical therapy. Josiah has been nonstop competing in wheelchair basketball, tennis and of course track and field.
She says the Toyota "Good Odds" commercial that aired during the Super Bowl and the Olympics is a sign the public is catching on about how amazing para-athletes are.
“It makes you hopeful because it’s like the world is waking up to the possibilities,” said Gina. “You might lose a limb or not have the use of your legs and you can still do anything you put your mind to.”
She says you can expect big things from her son in the future. He's been gutting it out his whole life.
It's how he won the state championship.
“It was a really satisfying feeling because I came from behind and beat the person in first place,” said Josiah.
And it's how he may make it to the Paralympics one day.