Sandrick was 14, immersed in the sport of basketball when he took a family trip to Canada to celebrate his aunt’s birthday. While leaving the party, the vehicle he was in was fired upon and he was struck in the abdomen, leaving him partially paralyzed. After two weeks in a Canadian hospital, he was transferred to Boston’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, where he began the long process of adjusting to life in a wheelchair. He said the sudden loss of mobility, independence, and the basketball‑centered childhood he loved led to a difficult period of depression that slowed his recovery.

Everything shifted when he met a two‑year‑old boy paralyzed from a spinal virus. Their connection gave him a new sense of purpose, realizing he didn’t want this young boy looking up to him at his lowest. So, Sandrick chose resilience. He regained movement in his left leg and learned to embrace his story rather than hide it. Sharing his experience has allowed him to encourage, inspire and educate others and he now understands that mindset and acceptance can create a path forward.

He’ll enter Rivier University this fall to study Cyber Security.