To survive and move forward with his life as a paraplegic veteran, Hoffman has committed to saying “yes” to opportunities that come his way, despite extreme physical challenges and limiting expectations.

Hoffman began his adult life as an able-bodied young man who enjoyed the physical demands of growing up on a dairy farm in East Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. He went on to study agronomy and computer information systems at Delaware Valley College and joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

“My roommate had a friend who was in the National Guard,” says Hoffman. “When I met this girl who was in the guard, I signed up at the end of my freshman year.”

He also went through ROTC training and ended his program with a commission as a second lieutenant in the army.

After college, Hoffman found a full-time position with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau doing basic programming and continued his career with the National Guard. His commitment continued for 30 years.

“I was dedicated to serving my country,” Hoffman continues, “but have also enjoyed the people that you get to meet, the phenomenal places you get to go to — I’ve had wonderful friendships. My heart has always been with the military.”

In 2004, he took a full-time, four-year opportunity to work with military units in the three Baltic NATO states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The assignment was challenging because his wife was also in the National Guard and was not part of the assignment.

While he went back and forth to his home in Lebanon, he was able to bring his family to Lithuania for a long visit, a great experience for his sons William Jr. and Christopher, who were able to have the enriching opportunity of experiencing another culture.

“They were on the swim team at home and were able to join the Lithuania swim team on a trip to Poland. They learned some Russian and Lithuanian words — and how to use public transportation. It was a tremendous experience,” says Hoffman.

In 2008, he returned to the U.S. and his career with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. In the guard, he served as liaison officer until he retired. Once again, he said “yes” to a new opportunity and started a career as a contractor to support military hardware contracts.

“I was a digital system engineer and solved problems for units receiving training at Fort Indiantown Gap,” Hoffman explains.

A Drastic Life Change

Hoffman’s life changed drastically on April 13, 2013. He tells the story:

“I had the day off and thought I had the expertise to cut down a tree. I was up a ladder. The branch I cut knocked down the ladder, and I fell to the ground. My brother found me, and I was helicopter life-lined to the hospital, where I stayed for six months. My life had changed.”

Hoffman suffered a traumatic brain injury and had no memory of the event or the six months of rehabilitation. His spine injury left him paraplegic.

“From my nipples down, I have no feeling, no muscle control, no nothing,” he explains. “I can move my hands and arms, which allows me to transfer from my wheelchair to a bed or chair.”

Fortunately, Hoffman was able to learn to drive a van using his hand to brake and steer.

“I am thankful I have some autonomy,” he says. 

However, during the seven years after his accident, Hoffman admits he entered a dark place. He had been focused on serving the military, working up to 18 hours a day. Now he lost his purpose for living.

Hoffman worried about insurance, which ran out after a year, though he was able to access medical services through the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

These extreme challenges led him into a deep depression. With stark honesty, Hoffman confesses, “I wanted to end it all.”

Finding Purpose Again

His natural ability to say “yes” to life came back when his church counsel asked him to start streaming church services during the pandemic in 2020.

“Somehow I was lucky enough to have a person reach out and tell me, ‘You are needed here.’ They gave me a purpose,” he explains.

For the last three years, Hoffman has continued to stream every service and manage the church website. He has also found deep connections at the Lebanon VA hospital.

“At a civilian hospital, no one is talking in the waiting room,” says Hoffman. “At the VA hospital, you can strike up a conversation with whoever drops in. It is a wonderful experience. You’re there with family.”

He has also become involved with the Paralyzed Vets of America, Keystone Chapter in Pennsylvania and now manages their website.

In April 2024, he attended the weeklong National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, “Miracles on a Mountainside,” in the mountains of Colorado.

The annual event, co-presented by Disabled American Veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs, provides nearly 400 profoundly disabled veterans with training and rehabilitation every year.

According to the event website, veterans with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, visual impairments, amputations, and other severe disabilities are challenged to overcome “perceived limitations.”

Adaptive devices allow vets like Hoffman to enjoy skiing, sled hockey, scuba diving, rock wall climbing, and other activities. 

A highlight of the Colorado event for Hoffman was skiing down a mountain.

“I was having fun when I wiped out and went down on my seat, like a big snowball,” he says. “All I could do is laugh. It was my best day.”

On the Move with Oscar Mike

In June of this year, Hoffman participated in another five-day adaptive sports clinic sponsored by the Oscar Mike Foundation, located in Marengo, Illinois.

All costs are covered for wounded, ill, or injured veterans who participate in “adrenaline-inducing” adaptive sports, including flight lessons, target shooting, off-roading, equine therapy, kayaking/paddle boarding, handcycling, and skydiving.

“Oscar Mike” is an army term that means to get “on the move.” According to Hoffman, many veterans with traumatic injuries disengage from life.

“I felt I had to stay at home — there were just too many challenges out in the world,” he explains. “These clinics have reshaped my thinking. Now I believe I can find answers and achieve something I thought was impossible.”

For Hoffman, that included skydiving. During the June clinic, he found himself lying on the floor of a “perfectly good airplane” in immense fear.

“I don’t want to do this,” was his mantra until he and his skydiving partner — to whom he was tethered — rolled out of the plane.

“When you’re on the move, the moment of fear is gone,” says Hoffman.

Midair, his partner adjusted a belt to secure Hoffman’s legs to his chest.

“I was extremely comfortable and enjoyed an amazing view of all of that flat Illinois farmland,” he explains. “The experience went from terrifying to wonderful.”

During the last week of July, Hoffman participated in the 43^rd annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in New Orleans. He was one of more than 570 participants who competed in 23 adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, powerlifting, rugby, shooting, archery, and bass fishing.

The event offers both seasoned athletes the ability to compete at a high level and novices to try out new activities as they surpass their personal limitations.

Hoffman especially enjoyed bowling, boccia, archery, and a moving quiz competition held in the New Orleans National World War II Museum.

While Hoffman is grateful for these opportunities, his losses cannot be underestimated. 

“Before getting injured, I had an income, and I could take on the world,” he says. “Now I don’t. Medical costs have wiped out everything, but I just press forward.”

For his most recent trip to New Orleans, he was fortunate enough to have his wife accompany him on the plane ride. When he travels alone, the basic steps necessary just to get through an airport and into an airplane seat would be daunting, if not disheartening for most people.

Whether booking a flight or planning for a shower, “For every action, I have to figure out every detail, every contingency in advance,” he says.

Hoffman concludes, “I needed to find a purpose and have built on the support the VA and my brothers and sisters out there in the world have given me. I made this decision that if anyone offers me an activity or event to try, I agree to do it. This resolution has opened countless doors for me — many through veterans’ organizations.”

On the cover: Photo credit Axel Villacis-Maldonado