Hi, My name is Tony K Boatright. I have led an amazing life despite what my doctor predicted. In 1972 at age 15 my rehab doctor put a time limit on my life. He told me the life expectancy after a spinal cord injury was 20 years, less for quads. My physical therapist answered my questions with the depressing statement “Quads can’t do that.” I have proven them wrong in glorious fashion.
I finished high school and college. Worked in some great jobs. Traveled extensively and made many dreams come true. Competed in sports for fun and at the highest level. Learned to scuba dive. I retired early to move to the tropics and start a new adventure.
I live the writer’s life since moving to the Republic of Panama in 2012. Our spacious home sits on a cliff overlooking Rio Zarati. The massive 50′ back porch has cool breezes and beautiful views year round. This is my tranquil piece of paradise. My mom came to visit and loved it too. She moved here in September 2014 to share this paradise with me. Adding a small apartment across the courtyard I now take care of my mom (who is 98 as of April 6, 2023) and our boxer Layla.
Tony K Boatright, Writer
A quadriplegic moving alone to Panama sounded crazy to some people. It is the best thing I have ever done. Here I chose to pursue my love of writing in two forms; professional freelance work and fiction novels.
My life as a writer started as a 3rd grade boy. Overhearing my teacher praise my writing to my mom at a PTA meeting gave me pride in my writing. Thru school, then college I was taught formal writing. Paralegal training and work in corporate compliance focused on presenting the facts. Remember the famous quote from Dragnet where Sgt. Joe Friday always said in a very dry, solemn voice, “Just the fact ma’am.”
I was never satisfied with just the facts. I always strived to make my business writing interesting, memorable, easy to read like my fiction writing.
Rudyard Kipling said, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”
Studying copywriting I began to learn another style of writing. Soon I found my styles converging. What has evolved is a combination of my best skills; carefully researched facts with the persuasive techniques told in the easy to read and remember style of a story.
My novels are character driven stories that challenge the readers’ imagination. Can you envision a paraplegic astronaut, a quadriplegic lover, or an accidental time traveler? Once you read my book each story will feel like memories of old friends. Read samples here.
Wheelchair Sports
1996. Paralympic hopeful.
Sports were a great part of my life before moving to Panama. Including:
- 11 years playing quad rugby
- Also enjoyed scuba diving, water skiing, swimming, and trying other wheelchair sports.
Fencing taught me the power, the history and the beauty of the sword. Experience has shown me that the pen truly is mightier than the sword.
- 12 years as an internationally ranked world class wheelchair fencer;
- Best World Ranking: #4 in Category C Epee
- Fenced foil and epee in two world championships;
- Qualified for 3 Paralympics; each time Category C fencers were not included.
Experience at this level taught me more than fencing skills. Reaching the elite level requires an extensive skill set. Dedication, training, development, attention to details and hard work are all necessary skills.