Omaha, Nebraska — The opening day of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games saw a powerful performance from the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team, as they secured a 66-56 victory over Spain. Among the standout players is Jerome Meyer, an Iowa native whose journey to the Paralympic stage has been both challenging and inspiring.
Meyer expressed his determination and pride as he aims for a third consecutive gold medal, stating, “We strive for a three-peat, to win our third gold medal in a row.” This is Meyer’s first appearance on such a grand stage, and he is both humbled and grateful for the opportunity.
Reflecting on his journey, Meyer shared, “There was a time when I was one of those players cut from the team, not seen as someone who could contribute to such a team.” His path to the Paralympics was shaped by personal adversity. At the age of nine, Meyer was severely injured in a car accident involving a drunk driver.
“I had a serious cut on my knee from the bicycle,” Meyer recounted, illustrating the gravity of his early trauma. His mother, Stacey Meyer, conveyed the emotional weight of those times, saying, “As a mother, as a parent, you should protect your child, and I felt like I failed in that regard.”
After an extended hospital stay in Omaha, Meyer was transferred to the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, where he began to rediscover his passion for sports. “When we found out he was really good at something and felt really good about it, we started to explore it more,” Stacey Meyer noted.
Kristen Luethke, Meyer’s recreational therapist, recalled how she introduced him to the Omaha Red Bulls, a youth wheelchair basketball team, after his rehab. “We would go to the therapy gym to practice shooting,” Luethke said.
At the Red Bulls, Meyer met coach Mike Kurtz, who played a significant role in his development. “I’m proud of Jerome. He has put in a lot of effort to get where he is,” Kurtz remarked.
Meyer’s journey continued with the University of Nebraska Omaha’s adaptive sports program before transferring to complete his studies at a Wisconsin school. “Being part of the first adaptive sports team created at UNO is truly amazing,” Meyer said.
Despite his global success, Meyer remains grounded and humble, reflecting on his broader responsibilities. “You’re no longer just representing yourself; you represent the entire country,” Meyer emphasized.
The U.S. team is scheduled to compete again on Saturday morning against the Netherlands, with Meyer and his teammates looking to continue their quest for Paralympic glory.
