QL +
LONDON CALLING
Centra (Ce-Ce) Mazyck
Former Senior Jumpmaster, US Paralympian & QL+ Challenger
Columbia, South California
“I love the dedication, hard work and compassion of the QL+ organization. Their quick response and very friendly staff make you feel important and special.”
Centra (Ce-Ce) Mazyck reached great heights during her career with the US Army – literally. Amongst other achievements, she attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) and Senior Jumpmaster.
But on November 24, 2003, while assigned to the United States Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg, NC, a routine high-altitude jump went horribly wrong. Ce-Ce’s chute became entangled with that of another jumper. She managed to piggy-back all the way down – until the two chutes disentangled themselves not far off the ground. Ce-Ce had no time to prepare for landing; her L1-L2 vetebrae snapped on impact and she was paralyzed instantly from the waist down.
“I knew straight away,“ Ce-Ce said, “but I was not hearing ‘You cannot walk again.’ “
In typical determined fashion (because fashion is important to Ce-Ce!), she focused all her energy on the rehabilitation process. She can now walk short distances with the use of a cane.
It was during rehab in Augusta, Georgia, that Ce-Ce was first introduced to the javelin. And at the Paralympic National Track and Field Trials in Indianapolis in June 2012, Ce-Ce’s throw of 20.64 meters not only won her a position at the trials but also a spot on the US Paralympic squad.
One of the items she packed for her trip to London, England was a white (they didn’t have a pink one) Nordic Comet javelin, courtesy of QL+.
“I found out about QL+ about a year ago from another Veteran athlete, Daphne Wright,” Ce-Ce says. “Finding an organization with such dedication feels awesome! It makes you feel important and special.”
All the way was 4,000 miles, across the Atlantic to London, England. “The experience in London was breathtaking!”, Ce-Ce told us. “Never in a million years could I imagine becoming a Paralympian, going to London and competing in front of 83,000 people!” Highlights of her visit to the UK’s capital city include “sitting by the [Olympic] torch and remembering being at home, watching the same torch on my couch, just a couple of weeks before” and “staying in the Olympic Village, where they had a dining facility the size of Walmart, with food from every country – just about! Of course, there was a McDonalds – open 24 hours a day!”
“I would recommend QL+ in a heartbeat!”, Ce-Ce tells us. “It’s an easy process, a quick response and very friendly staff. What’s special about QL+ is that they stay in touch. I love the dedication, hard work and compassion of this organization.”
But when asked for a revealing or favorite anecdote about QL+, Ce-Ce refuses. “No story,” she smiles, “just full of thanks. I am so grateful for the help I was given. QL+ helped me go all the way. Thank you for helping me become a PARALYMPIAN!”
Footnote: Ce-Ce will be a Wounded Warrior Guest of Honor at this year’s QL+ Veterans Day BBQ. Register now to meet this inspiring woman and others who have served our country!