By Johnny Firecloud

Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon are two living, breathing definitions of the word "inspiration."

The Iraq veterans are pushing themselves beyond the limit, and despite crippling injuries both are determined to bring home gold medals from Beijing for Team USA in the Paralympics next month. And thanks to the incredible generosity of Iraq and Afghanistan Volunteers for America (IAVA) supporters, they've reached the $20,000 it will cost them to travel, train and compete.

Scott Winkler was paralyzed below the waist during his tour in Iraq, and for several months was stuck in a rut of devastated depression. It was bass fishing tournaments in his home state of Georgia that broke him out of his despair and got him active again. Then one day on a whim he tried throwing the shot-put for the first time. Less than a year later he broke the world record. On June 15th, 2008 at the Olympic Track and Field Trials, Winkler once again established his naturally gifted dominance in the sport when he broke the American record with a throw of 10.97 meters, which qualified him for the Paralympics. On his off-time, Winkler works with a non-profit organization that he founded called Champions Made From Adversity. The group works to advance the lives of physically disabled persons and their families through sport and leisure activities. “If I can inspire one person out of a million that’s disabled to try sports, that’s my goal for the future,” Winkler said.

Carlos Leon survived an entire year of bullets and bombs in Iraq as a Marine in the deadly Sunni triangle. Sadly, just weeks after he returned home, Carlos tragically broke his neck in a swimming accident. The silver lining appeared in the clouds when Leon discovered a hidden talent and passion for throwing the discus, after meeting five-time Paralympian Gabe Diaz de Leon at a Paralympic Military Sports Camp. Shortly after the meeting, Leon won a Silver medal at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Brazil. At the 2008 Track and Field Trials for the Beijing Paralympics, Leon again dominated the competition in the men’s F52 discus, setting a new world record with a throw of 22.04 meters, nearly three full meters more than the previous record. Leon currently lives and trains at an Olympic and Paralympic Training Site in Birmingham, Alabama. He's heading to Beijing this month as the reigning world champion of the discus.

While they're sure to make their presence known in Beijing this September, this won't be the last you hear of Scott and Carlos. IAVA is taking an active part in a documentary film based on their journey to Beijing. The film aims to showcase Carlos and Scott's incredible stories, as well as the determination and hard work it takes to be a member of the US Paralympic Team.