When a knee injury threatened that dream earlier this year, the high jumper turned to Cedars-Sinai, where sports medicine specialists repaired damaged cartilage and helped put him back on the path toward competition.

Now the two-time Paralympic medalist is rebuilding, one workout at a time.

Diagnosed at age 2 with juvenile retinal macular degeneration, Jean-Paul has only about 20% of his eyesight. Yet he has spent a lifetime proving that limited eyesight doesn’t have to limit ambition.

“I want to show the world that it’s possible,” Jean-Paul said. “No matter what your circumstances are.”

For Jean-Paul—better known as IJP to his fans—that belief has carried him from competing alongside athletes without disabilities as a child to becoming a two-time Paralympic medalist and world record holder. Now, he hopes to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympics during the LA28 Games

“Vision involves your belief. Vision involves your faith, your discernment, your imagination,” he said. “I can't see the world the same way, so I have to imagine what I'm seeing. I have to feel what I'm seeing.”

Today, the Team USA track and field athlete is a two-time Paralympic medalist, world record holder and one of adaptive sports’ most recognizable advocates.

A Different Path

Unlike many Paralympians, Jean-Paul didn’t learn about the Paralympic Games until he was in college.

He spent his childhood competing alongside athletes without disabilities. Basketball was his first love, and it wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he discovered track and field.

Within three meets, he had broken his school’s high jump record.

A scholarship to Lewis University followed, where he became a five-time NCAA Division II All-American and national champion.

“I competed against nondisabled athletes my entire life,” he said. “My coaches didn't lean toward my disability as a crutch. They just saw my potential. They knew I was an athlete, and they trained me as such.”

Since then, his career has included world championships, world records and two Paralympic medals in long jump. But as the LA28 Games draws closer, his goal to qualify for both Games inspires him at every workout.

“It’s a big opportunity—not just for me, but for everyone to experience people with disabilities, not just athletes,” he said. “My goal is to show the world that it’s possible.”

An Unexpected Detour

Earlier this year, Jean-Paul had to put his vision on hold.

What initially felt like a typical overuse injury common among jumpers gradually worsened.

“I thought it was jumper’s knee,” Jean-Paul recalled. “But after a track meet in February, it was hard for me to walk upstairs. I couldn’t really bend my knee. I said, ‘Something is going on.’”

Imaging revealed torn cartilage in his knee.

Seeking answers, Jean-Paul met with Casey Batten, MD, co-director of Nonoperative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai, who reviewed the imaging, explained his treatment options and helped him understand what each option could mean for his long-term goals.

Batten also serves as chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Cedars-Sinai is the Official Medical Provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After discussing rehabilitation and surgical options, Batten referred Jean-Paul to orthopedic surgeon Michael Banffy, MD, chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

For the first time in his life, Jean-Paul faced a decision he’d never imagined making.

He could continue managing the pain—or undergo the first surgery of his athletic career.

Because 2026 is a non-championship year, he viewed it as an opportunity to invest in the years ahead.

“I've been on since 2017,” he said. “I haven’t had a break in track and field. I looked at this as an opportunity to get my mind right, rejuvenate myself and get a new step on life.”

Back on Track

Banffy repaired the damaged cartilage arthroscopically, allowing Jean-Paul to begin rehabilitation soon after surgery.

“By treating it now, we’re allowing him to continue training, build strength and ultimately work toward qualifying for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Banffy said. “If he had ignored it, it likely would have become a recurring problem.”

For Jean-Paul, the medical expertise was matched by the trust he developed with his care team.

“I had never had surgery before,” he said. “Trust between surgeon and patient is very important. They built that trust with me, and that gave me confidence.”

Today, recovery has become part of training.

Most mornings begin before sunrise with cycling, weight training, pool workouts and physical therapy. Progress comes one day at a time.

“I keep telling myself one day at a time,” he said. “If I move too soon, it’s going to be a regression.”

Banffy remains optimistic.

“I’m extremely confident that IJP will make a full recovery,” he said. “He’ll be able to train, and I’ll be rooting for him as he works toward these LA28 Games.”

More Than Medals

For Jean-Paul, the LA28 Games represents something more than another competition.

Throughout the year, Jean-Paul visits schools, speaks with students and encourages young people—especially those with disabilities—to dream bigger than others expect them to.

He has written children’s books promoting inclusion and empowerment, and hopes his own journey reminds others that success looks different for everyone.

“Gold doesn’t necessarily mean standing on top of the podium,” he said. “I’m out here chasing my dream, and you can do the same thing.”

When he imagines the LA28 Games, he doesn’t picture the medal ceremony first.

He pictures his daughter.

“I visualize holding my daughter with the American flag wrapped around us,” he said. “Showing her, ‘This is what dreams are made of.’”

For now, that vision begins with one workout, one therapy session and one day at a time.

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: The ABCs of Knee Ligament Injuries

Banffy told CBS 2 news correspondent Jamie Yuccas that, although the muscles of young people are “a little more supple,” sprains and strains can still be common among youth athletes if they are not “warming up properly” or “wearing the proper equipment.”

He added that tendon injuries are common in baseball or basketball, because “if someone’s throwing a lot, they can have issues with their elbow or with their shoulder.”

Banffy told Yuccas protective equipment for each sport—and each person—is important.

“It’s not something that you necessarily want to pass down if there are siblings,” he said. “It needs to be very individualized for the particular athlete.” 

Banffy told Yuccas parents also should watch for signs of a concussion if their child experiences a blow or jolt to the head or body.

“Obviously, if there’s loss of consciousness, that’s a no-brainer,” he said. “But, you know, even nausea, a little bit of confusion, those very simple signs … probably the kid should not be playing.”

Banffy told Yuccas parents may want to make a doctor’s appointment for their child before they begin a sport.

“There could be medical issues that the provider needs to address, such as asthma, maybe even a heart condition, and then musculoskeletal—if there’s any sort of issue with a joint, if there was a prior injury that wasn’t necessarily addressed, I think those are important to take a look at,” he said.

“And then also, immunizations—if they happen to participate in a sport such as wrestling, where there’s a lot of contact, you want to make sure they’re up to date on everything.”

Click here to watch the entire segment from CBS 2.

The four newly named leaders have extensive expertise in surgical and nonsurgical sports medicine, enhancing patient care for athletes at all levels.

“Cedars-Sinai continues to build a world-class sports medicine program, and we are thrilled to recognize these outstanding leaders,” said Mark Vrahas, MD, chair of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. “Their combined expertise, passion for treating athletes and commitment to innovation will further elevate our ability to provide leading-edge care to patients at all levels of competition.”

Michael Banffy, MD, has been named chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. Banffy, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint preservation, complex cartilage restoration and advanced hip, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, has extensive experience working with professional athletes. He is a team physician for the Los Angeles Rams and an orthopedic consultant to Major League Baseball players and Loyola Marymount University Athletics. Banffy completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a fellowship in sports medicine at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.

Casey Batten, MD, and Joshua Scott, MD, have been appointed co-directors of Non-Operative Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Batten, the lead primary care sports medicine physician for the Los Angeles Rams, was recently named chief medical officer for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. He is a primary care sports medicine specialist who focuses on the nonsurgical treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses. Batten earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his family medicine residency at the University of Tennessee and a sports medicine fellowship at the UC Davis/UC Berkeley Sports Medicine Program.

Scott is a primary care sports medicine physician who is the chief medical officer for the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team. A former Division I NCAA track and field athlete, Scott completed his residency in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and fellowship in sports medicine at the University of South Carolina. He is a team physician for Angel City Football Club and a Venue Medical Officer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. 

Clarence Shields, MD, has been named medical director of Team HEAL (Helping Enrich Athletes’ Lives) at Cedars-Sinai. Shields, a past president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, has dedicated his career to sports medicine and improving access to care for underserved student athletes. A longtime leader in the field, Shields has been an NFL physician and an orthopedic doctor for the Los Angeles Rams. He founded Team HEAL in 1994 to provide high school athletes with certified athletic trainers, injury treatment and preventive education. Since its inception, Team HEAL has supported more than 30,000 student athletes in Los Angeles.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Champions for Young Athletes

Taking the right precautions can help athletes at all levels to stay in the game and avoid unnecessary setbacks.

The Cedars-Sinai Newsroom spoke with Michael Banffy, MD, chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics, to learn how to prevent common spring sports injuries and safely ease back into an active lifestyle.

What are the most common springtime sports injuries?

Banffy: As people get back into their sporting activities, if they haven't done much during the winter, they have a higher risk of soft tissue injuries like muscle pulls, ligament strains or even sprained ankles. If they push too hard, too fast, they may also develop chronic overuse injuries like tennis elbow or shin splints.

For example, if someone decides to start running again and immediately goes out for a 10-mile run, they’re putting themselves at risk for injury. Instead, gradually building up—starting with 1 or 2 miles and progressing from there—can help condition the muscles and joints properly.

How can sports injuries be prevented?

Banffy: You don’t want to go from zero to 100. It’s important to have some level of physical activity—even if it’s not your main sport—so that your muscles stay strong and flexible. Strength training and flexibility exercises, such as yoga or Pilates, are essential to maintaining muscle balance and joint stability.

Cross-training is also key. In baseball, for example, we strongly encourage players not to play year-round. Athletes want to be the best and may think that constant practice is the way to get there, but overuse leads to injury. Doing something different in the offseason—like throwing a football instead of a baseball—uses a different biomechanical motion that can help preserve joint health while maintaining overall fitness.

How can you tell if it’s muscle soreness or an injury?

Banffy: Most of us experience muscle soreness as we get back into any activity, and that’s normal. Typically, soreness will resolve with rest. But a true injury usually happens suddenly during the activity.

For example, if you’re playing tennis and suddenly feel a pop in the back of your leg, that’s likely an acute injury that needs medical attention. In contrast, if you just feel general muscle fatigue after playing, that’s expected and can be managed with stretching and recovery techniques.

What are some recovery tips?

Banffy: If it’s mild soreness or a low-grade strain, stretching and light movement can help. Oral anti-inflammatories like Advil or Aleve can also help manage discomfort.

Other key recovery strategies include getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and allowing proper rest between activities. Research shows that dehydration is directly linked to muscle injuries, especially hamstring strains. If you're not drinking enough fluids, your muscles are more prone to fatigue and strain.

To stay properly hydrated, plan ahead and make sure you have enough liquids during activities—especially if you're exercising in hot weather, where your hydration needs increase. Pairing hydration with adequate sleep and proper nutrition will help your body recover and reduce the risk of injury. If pain persists or worsens, it’s important to seek medical advice to rule out a more serious injury.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Play Like the Pros—Take a Break