BRADENTON, Fla. — It’s hot. And it’s getting hotter by the minute. But Paul Schulte presses on.

What You Need To Know

  •  Paul Schulte is competing in wheelchair basketball for Team USA at the Paralympics in Paris

  •  This is Paul's fourth Paralympics. He also competed in the 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London games

  •  Paul sustained serious injuries in a car accident when he was 10 that paralyzed him from the waist down

He was done with wheelchair basketball. After three Paralympics appearances, Paul had retired from competition. But there was just something about the tug of the red, white and blue that pulled him back in.

“It has been a thrill and an honor for me to wear this jersey in the past,” Paul said, “and it’s an unexpected, thrilling opportunity to wear it again.”

Paul does more than represent the United States as a member of Team USA’s wheelchair crew. He represents hope to anyone with a disability. A car accident at the age of 10 paralyzed him from the waist down. Soon after, Paul discovered wheelchair basketball. And he discovered his why.

“Nobody really gets through life without having a disability, whether it’s seen or unseen,” he said. “And in every case is different, but in my case, my disability became my vehicle.”

Paul’s wheelchair has taken him all over the world. He’s a three-time Paralympian competing in the 2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London games. He’s also played on two World Championship teams. Now he’s in Paris for his fourth Paralympics.

Each experience has taught Paul a lot about himself and helped him evolve as a player and a person. He also appreciates the platform the Paralympics provides. Paul knows there will be a lot of young eyes watching that he can inspire.

“It’s incredibly powerful. It really is,” he said. “And we don’t ask for inspirational stories. We’re just living. We just want competition. We just want the podium. We just want to represent our country. The same thing that every Olympian wants to do.”

That’s why Paul’s been putting in the work to get better. To get ready for another go at the Paralympics. And yet another opportunity to wear the red, white and blue with pride.

“Our country isn’t without its challenges, but when you travel the world, you get to experience a lot of different cultures,” Paul said. “I have a lot of respect for those cultures, but there really is no place like home.”