Where it all began
My name is Michael Beydoun, and my story starts long before amputation. It begins on the football field at Detroit Catholic Central, where I was a two-year varsity starter at defensive tackle.
Throughout high school, I was told I was too small to play Division I football. Most people would have accepted that. I didn’t. I kept working, kept believing, and eventually earned a Division I scholarship to play at Monmouth University.
But the biggest challenge of my life was still ahead.
Everything changed after a tragic accident my freshman year. After losing my leg, I had to rebuild my life from the ground up. Thanks to the support of family and friends, and access to quality prosthetic care, I was able to get back to doing the things I love. I learned that a prosthetic is more than a piece of equipment. It's freedom, independence, and the ability to keep pursuing your goals.
As I became more involved in the adaptive sports community, I realized how fortunate I was. While I had access to the prosthetic care I needed, many talented and driven athletes did not. I quickly learned that for many amputees, the biggest barrier isn't determination or ability. It's access.
That's why I founded Walk Run Play. The name reflects a simple belief: every amputee deserves the opportunity to walk, run, play, compete, and fully pursue their passions in life. Through Walk Run Play, we're working to make sure access to prosthetic care is never the reason someone's potential goes unrealized.
