SCHROM Jacob

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (teamusa.org, 15 Jul 2015)

Origin of Impairment
Acquired (teamusa.org, 15 Jul 2015)

Impairment Details
In May 2008, while working for his family's landscaping business, the brakes on the truck he was driving failed and he was thrown out of the window. The vehicle rolled over twice and landed on his legs. As a result of his injuries his right leg had to be amputated above the knee. (Athlete, 01 Jun 2019; teamusa.org, 15 Jul 2015; cumberlink.com, 16 May 2008)

General
OCCUPATION
He works as a landscape designer for his family's business Cumberland Valley Tree Service in Pennsylvania, United States of America. "I'm the senior landscape designer for my family's business. I average probably 60 hours a week, and I'm in line to take over the company eventually, so that requires a lot of effort and attention. Between work and lifting, I don't really do anything else. I want to win at sport, and I also want to win at work. Nobody puts that expectation on me except for myself. My family has been telling me I should dial it back slightly [at work], and there's no harm in me working less overtime." (Instagram profile, 12 Aug 2021; livingwithamplitude.com, 12 May 2021)

NO SPECTATORS
In 2021 he said that having no spectators present due to the COVID-19 pandemic means he has adjusted his preparations for competitions. "For example, in Manchester [the 2021 World Cup event], there were no fans, just TV cameras and press. But in the middle of my third lift, which would have put me in position for a silver medal, somebody outside the platform area started clapping very aggressively and loudly. I'm taking my weight down onto my chest, and there's no noise, and someone starts clapping. I specifically remember hearing it in the middle of my lift, and I ended up missing that lift. So that's something that I'm going to be training and preparing for, because people might do whatever they need to do to try to get an advantage, and I can't let that potentially affect me." (livingwithamplitude.com, 12 May 2021)

PSYCHOLOGY
He began working with a sports psychologist after missing the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "The sports psychologist has really helped me since Rio, because I kind of flattened off at [the time of] Rio and wasn't getting better. Working with her has made me feel like I'm in control of the situation. Instead of getting small in the moment, I'm getting bigger or better in those big moments." (livingwithamplitude.com, 12 May 2021)

OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has worked as a trained peer visitor with the Amputee Support Team of Central Pennsylvania. In the role, he has travelled around the United States of America to visit young amputees and veterans coping with limb loss. He also founded the Nittany Valley Amputee Support Group at Pennsylvania State University. "The peer visitors were so helpful and influential on my recovery process. I love being able to help others who are in similar situations as I once was." (logan.edu, 17 Dec 2018; pennlive.com, 06 Jun 2013, 29 Jun 2011)