LISA MARKLAND

NAME: Lisa J. Markland
HOMETOWN: Germantown, MD (USA)
TYPE OF DISABILITY: C3-5 incomplete spinal injury from an Air Force training accident; also Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Addison's Disease.   
AGE: 48
OCCUPATION: Freelance writer and motivational speaker
PERSONAL: Married and hoping to adopt from Foster Care
MAIN STYLE OF MARTIAL ART: Taekwondo
SCHOOL AFFILIATION: USNTF through the Auvenshine's School of Taekwondo; Previously trained at Kim's Studio under Grand Master Ki Wang Kim and also at BMI Karate
CURRENT RANK: 3rd degree black belt (started over as a white belt three times)
TIME INVOLVED IN THE MARTIAL ARTS WITH A DISABILITY: trained 33 years and also instructed
WEBSITE: www.empowerment-unlimited.org
VIDEO LINK: None currently
OTHER ACTIVITES: Powerlifting, handcycle racing, shooting, basketball
ALMA MATER: University of Maryland (BA, MSW)
CONTACT: lisa@lisamarkland.com


Lisa Markland trained up to the Paralympic level (Beijing '08) before additional additional injury forced her out of competition. She was a Taekwondo national medalist in forms and fighting (AAU) and has been awarded both the Presidential Sports Award in Taekwondo as well the Maryland Outstanding Athlete of the Year Award in Taekwondo (1996). In 2004 Lisa was unanimously inducted into the prestigious Jewish Sports Hall of Fame for her athletic accomplishments.  She also was selected to the inaugural Paralympic Military Summit at the U.S. Olympic Center where her team took first place in a multi-sport competition. Lisa believes there are "no obstacles, only opportunities" and hopes to help everyone accomplish their dreams and not to be limited by anything other than their imagination. She continues to practice and teach Taekwondo and encourages school owners to allow disabled students be fully included in their curriculum.