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For those injured in the military, it can be a difficult transition. Injured nearly 20 years ago while serving in the South Korean Navy, Gyudae Kim decided to stay in the military world post-injury, but worked in the private sector instead. Although this was a successful decision, he recently left to pursue a new career in academia. Read on to discover the impetus for this change and how wheelchair racing opened doors for him along the way.
Military Injury
Growing up in South Korea, every male citizen is required to serve in the military. Kim served in his early 20s in the South Korean Navy as a UDT/SEAL 1st the Class Petty Officer. “I was involved in numerous high-risk military operations,” he explains about his time serving. In 2005, his life changed forever when he was injured during one of these operations.
“I sustained a severe injury that left me a paraplegic (T9). This injury drastically changed the course of my life, but it also pushed me to redefine my goals and purpose,” he says. Instead of leaving the military completely after his injury, Kim decided to transition into the private sector, where he worked for a private military company.
“I gained experience handling high-risk situations, particularly in areas prone to armed attacks and other security threats. Despite the challenges, I remained determined to continue making meaningful contributions, but eventually, I chose to leave the PMC to pursue a different path.”
Athletics also had a profound impact on Kim when he was introduced to wheelchair racing. “Through hard work and dedication, I earned a place on the Korean Para National Team and quickly rose to compete at the highest levels. I participated in three Paralympic Games—Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016—earning four bronze medals. One of my proudest achievements came in 2013 when I became the world champion in the 800m at the World Para Athletics Championship.”
Opportunities in Academics
During his time as a wheelchair racer, it also opened doors in academics and Kim became passionate about academic research and teaching. “I’m pursuing a PhD in Geography and Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I focus on political geography and the geographies of global conflict,” he shares.
“My injury may have altered my physical capabilities, but it has not diminished my drive to contribute meaningfully to society. Instead, it has shifted my focus toward academic research and teaching, enabling me to approach the field of geography from a new perspective.” Kim also works as a graduate instructor. “I teach a course titled GGIS 221: Geographies of Global Conflict at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I’ve been working while pursuing my PhD, which has been an enriching experience.”
After he receives his PhD, Kim plans on continuing his career in teaching, but on a bigger scale. “I’m very passionate about academic research and teaching, and I hope to continue in academia after completing my PhD. My goal is to become a professor at a research-focused university here in the US,” he says.
To make him a better teacher, Kim wants an elevated wheelchair. “I’ve been considering a higher seating position for my day chair to improve visibility in the big lecture halls where I teach. This could help enhance student engagement.” “My injury may have altered my physical capabilities,” he says, “but it has not diminished my drive to contribute meaningfully to society.”
To make his employment goals a reality, Kim tapped into the help available at SPINALpedia. “Throughout this journey, SPINALpedia’s mentoring team has been a cornerstone of my support system. They have not only provided me with invaluable guidance on navigating life with a spinal cord injury but also helped me realize my potential in an academic setting,” he shares.
“The mentorship I’ve received has empowered me to transition into this new chapter of my career with confidence and resilience. Today, I am not just recovering from my injury but actively building a future where I can influence the field of geography and inspire others who face similar challenges.”
ideas@spinalpedia.com
