SAN DIEGO — Strolling through nature with his dog named REI is one of Tanner Hopson’s favorite things because there was a time he thought he would never walk again.

What You Need To Know

  • Tanner Hopson's life forever changed when a backache turned into a life-threatening case of sepsis in 2019

  • Both of his legs were amputated to save his life from a serious blood infection

  • He is training on the mono-ski and aiming to qualify for the 2026 Winter Paralympics

  • Hopson hopes everyone takes his story and applies it to their lives to overcome their own challenges

Hopson's life forever changed when a backache turned into a life-threatening case of sepsis in 2019.

“Within a matter of hours, I was in a fully medically-induced coma on life support, dying of sepsis and toxic shock,” he said.

Hopson was transferred to UC San Diego Health, where both of his legs were amputated to save his life from a serious blood infection. His view on what he’s been through isn’t focused on what he lost, but what he gained.

“Despite the loss of the limbs and everything, it was an amazing experience," Hopson said. "It’s changed me and empowered me in ways that I probably don’t even know yet."

One of those ways is hitting the slopes. This season, Hopson competed in two skiing competitions in Utah and Canada. He’s looking at his future now, training on the mono-ski and aiming to qualify for the 2026 Winter Paralympics.

“Push the limits of what my purpose is here in this life, and I’m just hooked on it. I’m addicted to that,” he said.  

Dr. Joel Castellanos is part of the team at UC San Diego Health who treated Hopson and helped him during recovery.

Castellanos made sure Hopson had adequate pain control and got the correct artificial limbs at each stage of his rehab. He said seeing Hopson striving for great things after such a traumatic experience makes them all proud to know him and inspires him every day.

“Slowly but surely, he’s gotten to a place where he has very functional prosthetic limbs and is able to pretty much do everything he wants,” Castellanos said. “And the thing I love about Tanner is, it’s never going to be enough.”

Hopson has also started biking, hitting trails with friends. He has also gone rock climbing and participated in water sports. He hopes everyone takes his story and applies it to their lives to overcome their own challenges.

“They can do it,” he said. “They can get through hard stuff. And then there’s maybe even a better life on the other side of it.”