<p>A man born missing the bottom half of his body is beginning his THIRD Paralympics games today (4).</p><p>Brody Roybal, 23, refused to let his disability hold him back and learnt to play hockey, dance and cook - all without legs. </p><p>He found he had a great talent for ice hockey - which he plays sitting on a sledge - and won gold at the Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic games, with the USA team.</p><p>Supported by his biggest fan, childhood sweetheart Menecis Garriga, 24, he's now in China, ready to compete in the 2022 games, which open today (4).</p><p>They chatted to Real Fix – which features real people telling extraordinary stories – before he headed off to the game.</p><p>Brody from Chicago, USA, said: "They always do a great job with the Paralympics, making it easier for us with disabilities and then just putting on a good show for everyone.</p><p>"Sled hockey allows me to escape from the day to day life of being disabled and just be free out on the ice.</p><p>"Menecis is always there to support me.</p><p>"We were so young when we met we were able to grow up together and really see how well we worked together.</p><p>"My disability was kind of the last thing on our mind because we’ve always put our focus into our things in order to build a strong relationship.</p><p>"Love always finds a way"</p><p>Brody and Menecis met in reception class, and he asked her to prom in high school.</p><p>Their friendship quickly blossomed into a romance, but when Brody moved to Arizona, USA, to attend college, their relationship was put on hold.</p><p>A year later, he returned home and the couple realised they couldn't be apart and they made their relationship official in August 2018.</p><p>Brody, who now lives with Menecis in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, is part of the American men's Paralympic hockey team.</p><p>He said: "Being at the Paralympic Games is just such an honour to represent your country and play at the highest level.</p><p>"I love the feeling of playing- it feels like you're flying.</p><p>"When I was younger I did feel a little bit different but my parents pushed me to try new things and be active and get out and experience the world."</p><p>Menecis, a university student, said: “A lot of the time people are scared of dating someone with a disability because it’s very new and they don’t know what it’s going to be like.</p><p>“But a lot of other things come before a disability.</p><p>"When I look at Brody I don't see half a person.</p><p>"What he's lacking in his body, he more than makes up for in his personality.</p><p>"He reminds me every day that there is so much more to life than that one moment that you are falling or drowning in.</p><p>"When I see Brody I just see hope...and butterflies!</p><p>"Brody really is my best friend."</p><p>The couple share their relationship online- and insist that Brody's doesn't hold them back.</p><p>"Brody will try anything.</p><p>"Like if I want to climb a mountain, we’re going to climb a mountain.</p><p>"In the household we just learnt to adapt. </p><p>"I get the stuff from the top cabinet and he’ll get the stuff from the bottom cabinet."</p><p>But the couple have had to learn to deal with the comments they get from their thousands of followers.</p><p>"People always ask how Brody goes to the toilet or how we 'do it','' Menecis said.</p><p> "At first, comments on social media would impact our relationship, because no-one prepares you for this 180 that your life does when you put yourself out there.</p><p>"But now it has made us stronger."</p><p>Brody will compete on March 5 against Canada.</p><p>To watch a short mini documentary the pair made with Real Fix, visit - https://fb.watch/bxBU8pz95y/</a></p>
