For Greg DeWall, staying active and involved in the community has always been a central part of life. After losing his vision in 1997, he found a new path that combined his love of sports with a career. Today, he helps others stay active and engaged.
Today, Greg works as an Assistant Supervisor at the Easterday Recreation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he helps develop and implement adaptive recreation programs for youth and adults with disabilities. His work includes organizing clubs and coordinating summer camps. He also supports Special Olympics activities that encourage participation, wellness, and community connection.
Greg’s dedication to sports and recreation extends beyond his professional life. A longtime judo athlete, he trained for more than two decades and earned a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. His experience in competitive sports helped shape both his outlook on life and his career path.
Growing Up Active
Greg describes his childhood as that of “an all-American boy” who loved spending time outdoors and participating in sports.
“I did all the sports including baseball, football, wrestling, basketball, and soccer,” he says. “But I especially loved being outside hunting, fishing, cycling, and water skiing.”
After losing his vision, Greg was encouraged by his doctor to try judo as a way to stay physically active. Because of his background in wrestling, the transition felt natural.
“I fell in love with judo because of how similar it was to wrestling,” Greg explains.
That passion eventually grew into both a competitive pursuit and a way to inspire others.
Recreation in the Blind and Low Vision Community
Greg’s interest in recreation led him to pursue a degree in therapeutic recreation, which prepared him to support individuals with disabilities through physical activity, wellness programs, and community engagement.
Before his current role, Greg worked as a Supervisor at the Nebraska Center for the Blind, where he coordinated recreation and wellness opportunities for clients. These programs included activities such as fishing, zip-lining, geocaching, and nutrition education. They were designed to encourage participants to increase their physical activity. He also helped implement a wellness program that provided participants with Fitbits. The goal was to encourage increased physical activity and healthier lifestyles.
Earlier in his career, Greg worked at the Society for the Blind in Sacramento, California, where he held several roles including Social and Programs Recreational Coordinator, Career Programs Coordinator, and Lead Orientation and Mobility Instructor.
In those roles, Greg organized and led weekly recreational classes. Activities included cycling, yoga, dance, judo, skiing, archery, bowling, and walking clubs. He also developed a fitness challenge program that provided clients with free fitness trackers and created a supportive community to help participants stay motivated and active.
Leading by Example
Greg believes strongly in leading by example. His background in athletics and recreation has shown him how physical activity can support confidence, independence, and career growth.
In addition to competing in judo, Greg has shared his experience with others by working as an assistant judo coach, teaching the sport to children and teenagers. His work coaching and leading recreational activities helped prepare him for a career supporting people with disabilities through adaptive recreation.
He later expanded that experience through a therapeutic recreation internship, where he arranged and led programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Greg’s Career Advice
Greg encourages students and job seekers with vision loss to actively engage with the fields that interest them. He also emphasizes build connections with others in those communities.
“The things that lead to career success are getting involved and networking with people who can guide and support you,” he says.
He advises individuals interested in recreation or therapeutic services to look for volunteer opportunities and community involvement.
“Insert yourself into the community you ultimately want to work in,” Greg says. “If you’re interested in therapeutic recreation, get involved with your local Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, or community recreation center.”
By combining passion, persistence, and community involvement, Greg has built a career that allows him to stay connected to the activities he loves while helping others discover the benefits of recreation and physical activity.
Meet Greg on CareerConversations
Register here for our highly acclaimed Career Conversations Series Monday, March 23rd at 3pm where we will be interviewing Greg DeWall, Parks & Recreation, Assistant Center Supervisor. This webinar series is designed for young adults and job seekers who are blind or have low vision, as well as parents, teachers, and rehabilitation practitioners to listen in on how blind and low vision adults perform their jobs