Pennsylvania native and die-hard Eagles fan is the paragon of doggedness

Sgt. Pam Kelly grapples with recalling the specifics of her previous life, but she knows it was everything she desired. A Glenolden, Pennsylvania native and ardent Eagles fan, Kelly joined the U.S. Army in 1989, enticed by a recruiter’s offer of better pay than the police academy. Her basic training at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst in New Jersey showcased her exceptional skills, earning her the title of Soldier of the Cycle as the top performer in her company.

The military’s camaraderie and structure fueled Kelly’s dedication to a lifelong service to her country. However, in 2002, a training accident before her deployment to Iraq resulted in a cable breaking off a helicopter, causing severe injuries that left her paralyzed at 37, with limited movement in her head and left arm. The following decade was spent undergoing medical care, and memories of her pre-accident life became hazy.

Feeling a sense of abandonment for not completing her mission, Kelly struggled to adapt to civilian life, compounded by her reliance on a wheelchair. Battling with despair, she attempted suicide twice but found a lifeline in adaptive cycling introduced by airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command in Florida.

Sports became her salvation, and Kelly excelled in adaptive cycling, swimming, and archery, earning multiple medals. Despite having just one working arm, she became a champion, completing long-distance bike rides, including a cross-country trek in 2015. However, the physical toll led to nerve damage, prompting a series of surgeries in 2016, temporarily depriving her of the use of her left arm.

Despite the challenges, Kelly is determined to preserve her independence and is grateful for the support she received from Villagers for Veterans, a Florida-based non-profit. They raised $300,000 to build a smart home in The Villages tailored to Kelly’s needs, presenting it to her in June 2020. Now an ambassador for the organization, she assists veterans in transitioning to civilian life.

Known as THE Eagles fan in The Villages, Kelly eagerly anticipates football season, finding solace and joy in watching games. Recently, she attended her first Eagles game, receiving a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd of nearly 70,000 fans, recognizing her as the hero she is.