Matt Stutzman
- Paralympic Games 2012-2016-2020, ParaArchery World Champion, Guinness World Record Holder
- Racecar Driver, Owner and Mechanic of a Top Sportsman drag car
- Known as 'The Armless Archer'
Being born without arms isn’t the beginning you’d expect for the life of an archer and racecar driver. My birth parents couldn’t handle it — they were just overwhelmed. But “can’t” isn’t part of my vocabulary. After Leon and Jean Stutzman adopted me when I was 13 months old, they raised me to believe I...
read the restBeing born without arms isn’t the beginning you’d expect for the life of an archer and racecar driver. My birth parents couldn’t handle it — they were just overwhelmed. But “can’t” isn’t part of my vocabulary.
After Leon and Jean Stutzman adopted me when I was 13 months old, they raised me to believe I could do anything. Over the years, that ranged from chores on the family farm to dreams of being the next Michael Jordan to even the pursuit of a typing job.
Maybe it was sibling rivalry during my youth or the looks of disbelief I’d get from the general public, but I’ve always had a burning desire to be the best in the world at something.
My pursuit of racing came out of a love of cars and NASCAR that dates back to my adolescence. Practicing archery came out of primitive survival instincts, when I couldn’t find a job and took advantage of deer hunting season to feed my family.
Like my parents, I believe in everyone’s ability to “figure it out” when they’re faced with a challenge. Whether that’s a disability, a difficult relationship or a work conflict, people can overcome unbelievable odds.
My hope is that people see me with a bow in my foot or my hoof on the steering wheel and think, “If he can do it, I can too.”
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Being born without arms isn’t the beginning you’d expect for the life of an archer and racecar driver. My birth parents couldn’t handle it — they were just overwhelmed. But “can’t” isn’t part of my vocabulary.
