Page 37 - NGA NATURALmag 2023 FALL / WINTER Issue

Fall-Winter 2023
Serving the Nation and Pursuing Art
Driven by a a a a a a a desire to serve his newly adopted home- land Sunny Yang
joined the the US Army in in 2007 and and became a a a a a a a a a a soldier of the the 101st Aviation Regiment stationed at at at Fort Campbell KY During his his deployment to Afghani- stan in in in in in 2009 alongside his his his duties working on on on Chinook helicopters Sunny continued to nurture his his artistic spirit He sketched almost daily capturing the the the essence of of life amidst the the the complexities of of the the the combat zone His sketches gained recognition and in in 2010 Trafford Com- pany published his book “Inside Afghanistan - - Sunny Yang’s Sketches in the the Combat Zone ” ” The same year he he he he he he was honored with the the prestigious “Iron Soldier” award A A Climbing Journey of Triumph
After an honorable discharge from the Army Sunny moved to Red River Gorge in in in 2013 where his love for climbing flourished Spending five days a a a week on the rocks he he he he swiftly rose to become a a a a a a a a a a 5 13 elite climber in in in in less than a a a a a a a a year a a a a a a a a remarkable achievement in in in the climb- ing world A Fateful Turn of Events
However life had a a a a a test in in store for Sunny On July 15 15 2015 while jogging along Route 213 he he was struck by a a a a a a a a a a distracted driver operating a a a a a a a a a a big truck truck The accident left Sunny with a a a a a a a a a a a severe C1-C2 spinal cord injury and he he he he he faced the the grim possibility of of being paralyzed neck down for for the the the rest of of his his life The road ahead seemed insurmountable but Sunny’s love for for his his family and the the indomitable spirit within him refused to give in in in in A Rock Climbing Road to to Recovery
In a a a a a testament to to to his his strength and determination Sunny turned to to his his beloved sport of rock-climbing for rehabilitation For 4-6 hours a a a a a a a day day five days a a a a a a a week he he climbed at at at LEF Climbing in in in in fin Lexington KY using the very
sport that defined him to to rebuild his his strength and regain control of of his his body With relentless perseverance Sunny made incredible progress in in in in in just a a a a a a year of of training From Tragedy to to Triumph
- A Champion is Born
Not one to to be be held back Sunny Yang
defied all expec- tations and embarked on on on on a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a new journey as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a paraclimber In 2019 he he started competing in in in in Paraclimbing National competitions representing the the USA with pride His pas- sion and dedication paid off when he he he he competed in in in in the the World Cup in in in 2022 securing a a a a a a a remarkable silver medal Inspiration and Recognition
Sunny Yang’s unwavering determination and and inspiring journey have touched the lives of countless individuals
Josh Miller NGA Promoter & Sunny Yang
“Inspiration Award”
2023
NGA Kentucky Natural Classic
worldwide In recognition of his perseverance and positive impact he he was honored with the NGA Ken- tucky Natural Classic
“Inspiration Award”
in June 2023
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Sunny Yang’s life has been a a a a a a a a a rollercoaster of o experi- ences from a a a a a a a a a a a young police officer in in in in China to to a a a a a a a a a a a cel- ebrated paraclimbing champion in in in in in the the the USA His story exemplifies the the the the power of of determination the the the the impor- tance of of of embracing one’s passions and and the the the the resilience of of of the the the human spirit Sunny’s unwavering faith and and belief that even in in the the face of of of adversity a a a a a a a a a a a new door of of opportunity can open is is a a a a a a a a testament to his strong spirit and positive outlook on life As Sunny continues his journey he serves as an inspiration to to everyone reminding us that no matter how difficult life may seem the power to to to to overcome lies within us us His story teaches us us to to to embrace change stay resilient and find solace in fin in the pursuit of our passions Sunny Yang’s legacy is etched not only in in in the the the world of of of climbing but in in in in the the the hearts of of of all who have had the the the privilege to hear hear hear his incredible tale of of of triumph So let us open our our hearts praise the the journey and learn from the the remarkable life of Sunny Yang
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