You have just taken the first step toward learning what the life of Ralph Green is like. I am an athlete, an athlete that wants to be the best at whatever he does. And I am disabled, but my disability helps me live life to the fullest. I want to share all of my success with you and believe me; we will have a lot to go around!

                      Ralph Green
                      United States Disabled Ski Team

 

Ralph Green didn’t give up after he lost a leg following a random street shooting. He learned how to ski and he’s learning how to win. Coaches say he’s fearless and a hard worker. He’s making up for a lot of lost time. He is the first African-American man to make the U.S. Disabled Alpine Team. Green is now working to o qualify for the 2010 Games in Vancouver.

Start-Up
A high school quarterback and multi-sport athlete, Green was gunned down at 16 while he and a friend walked along a street in Brooklyn. His left leg was amputated at the hip. He was introduced a year later to skiing in the Poconos and it didn’t do much for him. After high school, he moved to Winter Park for three months, but eventually returned home...only to go back to Winter Park and its excellent disabled program – "and that’s when it stuck. I said, ‘I’m skiing until I’m the best.’ And that was [in 2000]." He explained, "I’m not scared to go fast, not scared to crash, but I learned you have to finish and that’s what I’m doing now. Fear is not a factor."

Major Achievements

  • 2008:  Fourth place, slalom - The Hartford Ski Spectacular, Breckenridge, Colorado
  • 2006:  Member, U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing Team - Paralympic Winter Games, Torino, Italy
  • 2005:  Four top-15 finishes in World Cup competition
  • 2004:  Two top-10 finishes in World Cup competition
  • 2004:  14th place, Super G - World Championships
  • 2002: Kimberley, CAN First World Cup, Kimberley, CAN

Personal
He’s No. 2 among five children – has an older and younger sister, two younger brothers – with a dedicated mother, "My mom’s my source of energy. When I was shot, she said, ‘I will not let my son be a forgotten one.’" In addition to racing, he achieved two other goals in 2003: He was a guest speaker at Career Day at his elementary school (P.S. 81) and his high school (Boys and Girls HS). Green has always been an athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball, tennis and was starting track when he was shot. Regardless, his diet is typical american fare preferring BBQ chicken, corn, pasta and rice or maybe some stir fry with diced chicken, vegetables, and the occasional smoothie. To relax, Green enjoys detective novels and mysteries as well as playing chess.

Ralph's Sponsors
Cox Communications, Inc.
National Brotherhood of Skiers
UVEX Sports
Salomon Sports
SkiTAM

© Ralph Green