Ji Mi Wakaria

Ji-Mi Wakaria joined the Air Force in 2015 and her career immediately took off. She received Honor Grad in basic training, became an NCO within 3 years, received NCO of the year, NATO Medal and earned 13 other medals throughout her career. In October of 2020, that all changed when she was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a TBI and numerous polytrauma injuries. Despite her injuries she managed to finish her bachelor’s degree while in-patient at Walter Reed and other Polytrauma Centers. She persevered despite the cognitive impact her accident had, graduating Mangum Cum Lauda and making it on the Dean’s list. This incredible show of strength truly highlights the resilience of wounded warriors. “I’ve come to realize that everything is possible for me,” she said. “I used to be terrified to engage in any physical activity outside of physical therapy until I started adaptive sports at Walter Reed and AFW2. It helped me discover that I am capable of more than I think.”