James “Woody” Beckham was born at Mt Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach on October 1, 1988. Woody is the second son of Bill and Candice Beckham and attended Bay Harbor Elementary, Stuart Middle School and graduated from Gulliver High School in 2007. He attended Indian River College before he transferred to Florida Atlantic University to study Ocean Engineering.

In January 2011, while playing for his FAU rugby team, Woody was paralyzed making a tackle & suffered a complete C 5 spinal injury. He was treated by the “Dream Team” neurological doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital where he progressed rapidly through inpatient rehabilitation & therapy.

Discharged in the spring of 2011, Woody has returned to school pursuing an Accounting degree at Florida International University and lives with his father and wonderful step mother – Julia Wade. He has four caring siblings including his sister, Emily & 3 brothers – Will, Matt & Alex . Woody enjoys attending sporting events especially Miami Heat basketball & Miami Hurricanes football as well as boating on the Bloody Bill. He continues his progress toward recovery with outpatient rehabilitation & therapy as well as the encouragement to persevere from the support of so many great friends & family.

As the face of The Woody Foundation, his sheer determination and inspirational words give us all great comfort that he will indeed overcome his devastating injury and walk through the rest of his life as a champion.