Robert Irvine Foundation
Michael Gaynor
U.S. Army Specialist
Retired U.S. Army Specialist Michael Gaynor served with honor and determination as a member of the 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade out of Fort Lewis, Washington. He enlisted in 2008, driven by a deep sense of duty during a time of conflict, and deployed to Iraq in 2009, where he spent seven months conducting operations in a high-intensity combat zone.
On February 18, 2010, while responding to enemy contact during a mission, Michael was severely injured in a Humvee rollover en route to one of the base towers. The accident left him with life-threatening injuries, including two collapsed lungs, multiple broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, a broken shoulder, shrapnel wounds, a concussion, and a severed spine that resulted in permanent paralysis.
Michael medically retired from the Army in 2013, marking the beginning of a new battle—one marked by physical hardship, emotional isolation, and the search for renewed purpose. After years of challenge and perseverance, Michael began to rebuild his life through adaptive sports, which he credits with helping him rediscover confidence, strength, and community.
Wellness Program _
Freedom 6x6 Recipient
In 2022, the Robert Irvine Foundation, with generous support from FitCrunch, provided Michael with a Freedom 6x6 all-terrain power wheelchair. The state-of-the-art device restored access to the outdoors and reconnected him with the places that shaped his childhood—including the woods behind his grandfather’s home, where he once played as a boy.
Now, Michael enjoys hunting, exploring nature, and visiting the beach—activities that are not just recreational but deeply healing. The Freedom 6x6 has empowered him to reclaim his independence, dignity, and the simple joys of life he once thought were out of reach.
Michael’s story is a powerful testament to the sacrifices made by wounded warriors and the profound impact of restoring not just mobility—but freedom, hope, and purpose. The Robert Irvine Foundation is proud to support Michael as he continues his journey forward.