1ST LT. JANI MERRITT
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RANK: 1st Lt.
STATUS: National Guard
HOMETOWN: Spartanburg, SC
CURRENT LOCATION/SRU: Fort Bliss, TX
EVENTS:
Archery
Powerlifting
Precision Air Sports
Swimming
Track
1st Lt. Jani Merritt, aged 27, dedicated over eight years to the National Guard, first enlisting, then earning a commission. While mobilized in 2023, 1st Lt. Merritt noticed signs that something was wrong. After a trip to the hospital, she was told that one of her kidneys was failing and her life was in danger. Following multiple surgeries, 1st Lt. Merritt continued to suffer from complications that ultimately led to severe nerve damage, including left foot drop and loss of sensation in other areas throughout her body (transverse myelitis). She had difficulty finding any positivity in her life until arriving at Fort Stewart Soldier Recovery Unit and fully immersed herself in adaptive sports.
Adaptive sporting provided 1st Lt. Merritt opportunities to find ways to continue to enjoy the sports and activities that she struggled to participate in, given her new physical limitations.