J Gore Sprinting to Paralympics
Jonathan Gore has never let anything keep him from achieving his goals, and in a crisis, he does not hesitate to step up to do whatever he needs to do to help. Therefore, when tragedy struck, he didn’t whine or complain; instead, he changed course with a new goal in mind.
Working on the grounds crew of Appalachian Bible College was something Jonathan had done every summer for 5 years from the time he graduated high school. In May of 2018, he was on the riding mower when the mower started to slide, and he lost control. On the accident report, he said, “The lawnmower engine stopped as soon as I came out of the seat, but the blade sliced my heel 4 times before it came to a stop.”
The orthopedic trauma specialist took one look at Jonathan’s foot and said, “If it was me, or my child, I would amputate, get a prosthetic and live a normal life.” Jonathan replied, “Take it off.” And after that he asked, “Will I be able to go to the Paralympics?”
Prior to the amputation, Jonathan ran on the track team in middle school and high school. Then when he went to Concord University, he joined the Men’s track team. Each year he had a goal in mind of what he wanted to accomplish, and he always exceeded his goals.
In 2017, his senior year at Concord, he broke the school record in the long jump for both indoor and outdoor, and at the Mountain East Conference Championships he won the 200m dash, finished second in the 100m dash and long jump, and was named MVP/High Point. Then, in July 2020, Concord University Athletics named Jonathan Gore to the All-Decade Team.
What did he enjoy the most about his track career? Competing!
With his track career over and one more semester to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Social Work, Jonathan had to deal with a family emergency. His oldest brother, Chase, had been diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer. He needed a bone marrow transplant. It was then Jonathan and twin brother, Brian (also in his last year of college), were tested as potential donors. Jonathan was the closer match. Jonathan knew it would be painful, he had a problem with needles, but he didn’t hesitate.
The surgery was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The doctors bore into Jonathan’s hip and took 1 ½ liters of bone marrow. Jonathan was back on campus in 5 days, and 2 weeks later he walked across the stage to receive his degree.
When Jonathan makes up his mind nothing can stop him. The Tuesday after Memorial Day 2018, the lawnmower accident happened. Memorial Day weekend 2021, Jonathan competed in the Desert Challenge – his first Paralympic meet, in Mesa, Arizona. How did he do? He won his preliminary heat in the 100m dash for below knee amputees, and… HE WON THE FINAL!!!
Jonathan’s goal is the Paralympic Games, and the next stop is Trials in Minnesota. He has put in the work, he has the determination, and any donation will help Jonathan make this a reality. No contribution is too small. And, maybe you are unable to give, but if you can forward this to all your contacts, that would be appreciated as well.
