Christina Blair

Gas Turbine Systems Mechanic Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Blair joined the U.S. Navy in 2011 seeking the structure, purpose, and sense of belonging that had eluded her during an unstable period in her life. In the midst of a fuel blast in 2016, she landed on a deck edge and seriously injured her back. By 2022, her ongoing medical issues began to affect her mobility, which also impacted her mental health and overall wellbeing. When Blair found Navy Wounded Warrior, she gained structured support and a host of resources that allowed her to focus on her recovery and regain stability. Though she did not initially think she could do adaptive sports, she found a spark she didn’t realize was missing. She especially loves wheelchair rugby for its intensity and tight teamwork. The camaraderie of being surrounded by other servicemembers with firsthand experience navigating injury, adaptation, and resilience has been healing. Away from the field, Blair was named the Wounded Warrior of the Month for February 2026 in Navy Region Southwest, an honor that validated her journey showed that her efforts have not gone unnoticed. This chapter of her life has shown that the light she thought had dimmed can, with the right community, burn brighter than ever.