ORLANDO, FLA -- Even as he zooms by on his recumbent bike, the first thing you notice about Sgt. Kevin Greene is his smile.
He's happy. He's in the zone competing as an athlete once again riding through the trail at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. That passion and personality draws people in.
“It’s like I’m being with a bunch of best friends that can all relate to what I’m going through and not feel isolated in a world where people don’t quite understand," Greene said while on his ride. "I appreciate it. I’m going to do my best."
His attitude and upbeat nature battles for your attention with his prosthetic left leg.
“When I go to the beach it’s frustrating because I miss having my 10 toes in the sand," Greene said. "When I look down at it I can’t believe that I’m standing up.”
Throughout most of his life, Greene has stood tall. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in 2012 and found himself on the fast track to success. In 2014, he was forced to take a new path.
“I was waiting at a stoplight on Post Road, waiting for the light to turn green. I looked to my right. Looked to my left. I wake up in the hospital.”
While on his motorcyle in Brevard County, Kevin was hit and pinned by another car. When he came to in the hosptial, doctors informed him his left leg was amputated.
“What is my purpose," Greene said? "That is the battle I had with myself. Find and understanding a purpose of what I should do in life. During that time in the hospital, I had none.”
He found that he had plenty of support from his family and players he coached on the Palm Bay High Basketball Team. Through that, he found strength and a new path.
“Life is not easy all the time but if you just wait that one more second or just couple more days you can power through it.”
In 2016, Kevin, a lifelong athlete, discovered Invictus Games at the Wide World of Sports. He immediately found his niche to compete again. The next year, Kevin became the first amputee reserve to return to service.
“Don’t give up. There are moments in time where you do feel like giving up.”
Sgt. Kevin Greene didn't give up. He just forged a new path to the destination he always wanted.
He's a loving husband and father, an airman and still a top-flight athlete. This week at the Warrior Games he'll compete in seven different sports in nearly a dozen forms of competition. His path comes with a bigger purpose.
"I want to be remembered for my smile. I want to be remembered as that guy that was like man Kevin Greene was a great teammate, partner, and friend because he cared about everyone around him."