Ralph DeQuebec
Paralympic Team USA
DeQuebec, 2018 Paralympian and Team USA Hockey member, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2002 at age 19. During his third deployment as an explosive ordnance technician, DeQuebec suffered extensive injuries from an IED (improvised explosive device) including mild traumatic brain injury and the eventual double amputation of both his legs above the knee. DeQuebec is the co-captain of the U.S. National Developmental Sled Hockey Team and a member since 2014. DeQuebec admits that the team had to talk to his wife to convince him to try it out, but DeQuebec credits sled hockey for his 180-degree turnaround. The Paralympic Military Program, with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs partnerships, supports wounded, ill and injured American Service Members and Veterans impacting the lives of 2,000 athletes annually. Military Veterans are a vital addition to the U.S. Paralympic team with 20 Veterans in the 2014 Winter Olympics.