Ray Brown doesn’t like brakes because he won’t let anything in life hold him back or slow him down.
‘Unlock the brakes, get out and get moving? is the motto by which the 56-year-old North Branch resident and champion wheelchair athlete lives by.
Chaplain of Oxford AMVETS Post 108 for the last two years, Brown is looking forward to competing in the ‘Tribute to Peace: World Wheelchair & Amputee Games? in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 15-26.
‘This will be my first international competition, so I’m real excited about it,? said the Vietnam-era veteran, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from February 1968 until May 1970.
Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in 1996 and now a paraplegic, Brown was invited to compete in the world games after winning five gold medals in June at the 25th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
With nearly 500 veterans/wheelchair athletes from 46 states, Puerto Rico and Great Britain, the national games is largest wheelchair sports event in the world.
Brown won his gold in weight-lifting, air guns, shot put, discus and javelin. It was his prowess in the latter three throwing events that earned him an invitation to the upcoming world games.
In the arena of wheelchair athletics, Brown has been the American record-holder in the javelin event for three years running with a distance of 33.11 meters. He’s ranked seventh in the world in the event.
‘I threw a 38 (meters) in practice the other day,? he said. ‘I’m hoping to break the record (at the world games).?
In other world rankings, Brown is among the top 15 in shot put and top 25 in discus.
‘This is my life. I’m a wheelchair athlete,? he said.
Competing in wheelchair sports and games across the country on many levels since 1999, Brown estimated he’s won ‘about 130? medals, plus two state championships and a Most Valuable Player Award in wheelchair basketball.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Michigan Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame by former Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson.
A humble man, Brown gives most of the credit for his athletic accomplishments to a higher power and his fellow veterans.
‘These medals are great, but if they shine, it’s God’s glory first of all and second of all, it’s from the support of these people,? he said referring to the members of Oxford’s veterans groups. ‘It’s not just me, these (medals) belong to a lot of folks.?
To help him compete in various wheelchair games, Brown has received financial support from AMVETS Post 108, Oxford American Legion Post 108, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 108 and Ladies Auxiliary Unit 108.
‘When I rear back to throw or I lift (weights), I can just feel all kinds of energy and power from these folks,? Brown said.
In fact, Oxford’s AMVETS and American Legion posts recently contributed $500 each to help Brown compete in the world games next month.
‘I couldn’t do most of the things I do if it wasn’t for this post and their support,? said Brown, who’s been a member of the AMVETS for three years. ‘These guys took me in like a brother.?
‘I’ve never been turned down by a veteran, if I ask for help. Most of the time I don’t even ask for help. Someone reads an article and gives me a call.?
Although he enjoys ‘the competition and the thrill of victory,? Brown’s real strength as a wheelchair athlete comes from being able to motivate and mentor others with disabilities, particularly fellow veterans.
‘Awards are great, but when you can sit and talk to a young person that just got back from Iraq, who’s all busted up, and let them know there’s hope for the future ? that’s what it’s all about.?
‘The sooner you can get a person in a wheelchair into sports, the sooner you create a stronger person, a more productive citizen, a more self-confident individual, who realizes he too can still serve others,? Brown explained.
That’s why in addition to sports, Brown is actively involved in getting others in wheelchairs to go on hunting and fishing trips. He also works closely with the Lapeer-based company Adaptive Sports to help develop technology that allows people in wheelchairs to play golf, enjoy shooting sports and lead more active lifestyles in terms of recreation.
Helping others will always be a very important part of who Ray Brown is.
‘I’m a Marine ? I’ve always been a Marine, I always will be one. This is a way I can still serve my fellow man, serve my country and still be a Marine.?
‘God and country ? that flows through my veins,? Brown said. ‘I knew that before I went in the Marine Corps and I’m more of believer of it now then I ever was.?
Brown said he never could have accomplished everything he’s done or helped so many others if he had kept the brakes on his wheelchair locked.
‘I don’t like brakes on wheelchairs,? he said with passion in his voice. ‘Wheelchairs are designed to move.?
‘A lot of people get into a wheelchair, put the brakes on and get stuck in a house somewhere where they never do anything. They just sit there and rot like a piece of cabbage.
‘You need to unlock those brakes and get rolling.?
Those wishing to meet Brown in person will get a chance September 8-10 when he’ll be selling AMVET clovers (similar to the American Legion’s poppies) in front of Uncle Boomba’s at the corner of M-24 and Drahner Road.
‘That money we raise out there comes right back into this community to help our youth with scholarships, help the senior citizens and help other veterans in need,? Brown said. ‘I’m proud of this post, really proud of what they do for the community.?