( CNN ) -- I started playing sports at a young age and gravitated toward wheelchair basketball and track . In college , I decided to focus primarily on track and pursue my dream of going to the Paralympics . With the support of a great coach and team , I was selected as a member of Team USA and competed in track at the Paralympic Games in London in 2012 . On Saturday , April 6 , I embarked on the most challenging journey of my life . I left Los Angeles , heading toward New York City in my racing wheelchair -- a 71-day journey of 3,300 miles . While I did n't know what to expect or how my body would react to the demands of `` pushing '' the equivalent of two to three marathons a day , I knew one thing for sure -- I 'd get it done . I committed to Push Across America as my way of giving back to Stay-Focused , an organization that has significantly impacted my life . Stay-Focused offers a SCUBA certification program for teens and young adults with disabilities . I met Roger Muller , founder of Stay-Focused , in 2005 , and was given the opportunity to learn to SCUBA dive . For me , it was a chance encounter that changed my life . I love to dive and have been diving ever since . We do all our diving in the Cayman Islands , most often in Grand Cayman , which is one of the best diving destinations in the world . I was chosen to be the first Stay-Focused mentor in 2007 , a role that enabled me to assist first-time divers , and I am now actively involved in running the organization . Parkinson 's did n't stop his space walk . A few years ago , Muller and I were talking about ways to raise funds for Stay-Focused . He asked me if I thought I could push my racing chair across the country . My first thought : `` If it would help Stay-Focused , I 'm in . '' And now I have honored that commitment by combining my passion for `` pushing '' with my tremendous desire to support Stay-Focused , an organization I will be a part of for many years . In addition to giving back to Stay-Focused , I was motivated to encourage others to take on challenges and give back to individuals and organizations that have made a difference in their lives . I also wanted to build awareness for the potential of all persons with disabilities and disability sports . During my Paralympic experience in London , where 80,000 fans cheered for me and my fellow Paralympians at each and every event , I was impressed with how the fans embraced us as athletes -- athletes first , Paralympians second . In doing the Push Across America , I wanted to help promote disability sports in the United States and encourage people to view athletes with disabilities in the same way they view other athletes -- in other words , no differently . Push Across America was a phenomenal experience . For the most part , the weather was good , and of course , there were mountains to climb . But I was focused and knew why I was doing it and I knew this would be a defining moment in my life . I did it to prove I could and to encourage others to never give up , as well as to support Stay-Focused and to have a good time ! My theme song is `` No Surrender '' by Bruce Springsteen . Yep , for me , I made a promise to Muller I swore to remember , and this was it -- '' no retreat , baby , no surrender ! '' Scoliosis has n't stopped top female golfer .
' Ryan Williams was born with spina cord . Starting in April , he pushed his wheelchair from Los Angeles to New York . He wanted to help promote ` ` products . ''