Images: J.J. O’Connor and life after his hockey accident.
Mount Prospect resident J.J. OConnor when he played youth hockey.
Submitted Photo
Mount Prospect resident J.J. OConnor when he played youth hockey.
Submitted Photo
J.J. OConnor, general manager of the Hornets youth sled hockey team, watches a recent practice.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
J.J. OConnor, general manager the Hornets youth sled hockey team, stops to chat with Michael McCarthy, middle, and Erica Mitchell, both of Chicago, before the start of practice.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
J.J. OConnor is the general manager of the Hornets youth sled hockey team, which practices in Addison.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
J.J. OConnor, general manager of the Hornets youth sled hockey team, talks to Kevin Malzone of Homer Glen. Malzones son recently joined the team, which is comprised of players with disabilities.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
J.J. O Connor works on the schedule for the USA Sled Classic put on by the NHL at his Mt. Prospect home.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
J.J. O Connor, who has been a quadriplegic since a hockey accident 16 years ago, takes a break from his computer to say hi to Mocha, his Landseer Newfoundland dog, at his Mt. Prospect home.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
J. J. O Connor, who has been a quadriplegic since a hockey accident 16 years ago, hasnt let the injury slow him down in his personal or business life.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
J. J. O Connor, who has been a quadriplegic since a hockey accident 16 years ago, gets in his standing frame to watch sports on TV for about an hour every morning, The frame helps keep bones strong and aids circulation.
Bill Zars/bzars@dailyherald.com
Ahmed Saada, of Chicago, left, and General Manager of Operations at Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center Katie Basile, MS, CPT, help remove the harness that allowed OConnor to use the treadmill at the Hoffman Estates facility.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
After a good workout it is off to lunch at Panerra with his friend Ahmed Saada, of Chicago, left, and General Manager of Operations at Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center Katie Basile, MS, CPT.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
General Manager of Operations at Prairie Stone Sports & Wellness Center Katie Basile, MS, CPT moves one of OConnors legs on the treadmill.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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