Mary Porter

Retired Army Major Mary Grace Porter is blunt about her life today. “I’m gonna live until I die.” The Family Medical Doctor in civilian life and Brigade Surgeon for the Army over in Iraq was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2021. An avid skier, Porter suffered from a training injury in 2013, leading to reconstructive surgery on her right arm. ” I had to take a break from skiing while I healed.” She continued to serve until her ALS diagnosis, which left her wheelchair-bound. “I’ve been skiing for 50 years, and when I got ALS, I was devastated. I was introduced to sit skiing and learned how to ski sitting in 2021, and I love it! It’s changed my life and frankly saved my life.” She is fully retired now and has a lavender farm with her family and lives every day to the fullest. “Most people with ALS have only 5 years and deteriorate quickly. They don’t do much. I’m going to suck the marrow out of life. I’m excited for the games. I’m working out every day to the best of my ability. When I am on the snow, I no longer have ALS.”

What does the Invictus Games mean to you?

The Invictus Games means hope to me. Training has gives me the courage to fight my terminal battle with ALS. I never imagined that I would compete at an international level. I am humbled to be part of team U.S. My biggest hope is to be an inspiration for others to help them realize that they can do harder things than they ever thought they could.