Mikail Davenport

Mikail Davenport

Mikail Davenport is a 61-year old native Texan who contracted polio at age two. After numerous reconstructive surgeries, he was able to walk unaided until age 40, when post-polio syndrome forced him back into daily wheelchair usage.

In 2000, Mikail started competing in 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon wheelchair racing events with the Blaze Sports Austin Wheelchair Team, placing first in most of the them until 2003, when after finishing the Motorola Marathon in Austin he conquered another health challenge: lung cancer.

Less than one year after doctors removed half of his left lung, he successfully completed the daunting 237-mile Sadler’s Ultra Challenge Handcycle Race in Alaska, finishing 18th out of 24. This was followed by the Marathon of the Americas in San Antonio in 2003 & 2004, also using his handcycle. He also participates every year in other events, such as the Marathon to Marathon in West Texas.

In 2004, he founded “Disabled, Not Unable”, an educational organization that assists persons with disabilities to fully develop their physical, mental, and spiritual conditioning to the utmost of their ability. He supports the organization through his website design and consulting business.

In 2005, he retired from racing and completed the 350-mile Capitol Ride ’05 to raise awareness of the capability of Texans with disabilities and cancer survivors

In 2006, he participated in the 650-mile Mexico to Louisiana commemorative ride along the El Camino Real with able-bodied cyclists from The Texas Heritage Cycling Experience.

In 2007, he rode 750 miles across Texas from El Paso to Beaumont, self-contained and with no support to again raise awareness of the diverse issues of Texans with disabilities before the 80th Texas Legislature. This ride garnered support from people around the United States in support of Texans with disabilities and many positive–impact bills passed in the Legislature.

He is an interfaith minister and provides spiritual direction for Texas prison inmates.