Brian Siemann

Spending time with his dogs. (Instagram profile, 21 Mar 2021; Twitter profile, 08 Mar 2021)

His high school coach Joe McLaughlin, and his family. (catholicnews.com, 22 Aug 2012)

“I truly believe in the power of sports in helping people realise that even though you have a disability, you are capable, and there are opportunities and outlets for you. I never want to make someone feel like it's impossible.” (thenation.com, 22 Jan 2021)

To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Twitter profile, 08 Mar 2021; illinois.edu, 11 Oct 2019)

He has paraplegia due to complications following his birth as a quadruplet when he suffered spinal shock due to blood loss after a medical error. "My doctor left my umbilical catheter open which caused me to lose a third of the blood in my body." (newyork.cbslocal.com, 02 Nov 2016; tcsnycmarathon.org, 01 Nov 2016; catholicnews.com, 22 Aug 2012)

SIBLING MARATHON
He is a quadruplet and in 2016 competed in the New York City Marathon with his three sisters Amanda, Maria and Jessica. He raced in the wheelchair division while they ran the course as able-bodied participants. "I've always talked about the sense of accomplishment I get from finishing the New York City Marathon, and I think that's what motivated them to do it. I think for us to do this all together in a sport we never even considered doing when we were younger is a huge highlight in our lives." (runningmagazine.ca, 07 Nov 2016; tcsnycmarathon.org, 01 Nov 2016; teamusa.org, 23 Aug 2012)

FURTHER EDUCATION, TEACHING AND COACHING
He works as a learning disabilities specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States of America, where he previously completed a master's degree in special education. He also works as an athletics coach at the university. (Twitter profile, 08 Mar 2021; disability.illinois.edu, 01 Jul 2020; teamusa.org, 01 Dec 2019; Facebook profile, 21 Sep 2016)