John Claudio was bigger than life. He made people feel like they were the only ones in the room when they spoke with him, giving an individual all his time and attention. As a young boy, he grew up part-time on his parents’ homestead in North Walton County and fell in love with country life. Some of his fondest memories were helping his dad with daily chores such as taking care of the livestock, tending the garden, target shooting, fishing, and cooking. He loved family and looked forward to spending time with them whenever possible.
John had an unfortunate accident at the young age of 32. He was helping a neighbor with tractor work on his farm when the tractor slid down a small hill and rolled on top of him. His injuries led to complete paralysis of both legs, leading him to using a wheelchair. He spent months in physical therapy to maintain muscle, which gave him the ability to transfer himself to and from his chair, continue daily chores, and more. John would tell everyone that he was not handicapped but “handy-capable.”
As surgical technology developed, he got an opportunity to have spinal surgery that would give him the ability to walk again. The surgery was a success, and John spent many months in physical therapy relearning how to walk. At the age of 42, he was walking once again and never looked back.
John passed away at 45, but his spirit and determination live on. The John J. Claudio Scholarship Endowment is a memorial to his life and a way of giving back to the PT community for their commitment to hard work, discipline, and the strength needed to persevere in the hope of a better life.
Share this article
