Many of the major milestones in Sligo's life have been operations. There were two life-changers: a surgery to bypass his blocked aorta - involving a pair of hoses under his skin from shoulder to hip - and another to fuse his left ankle and release tendons in his feet.
Suddenly he could walk longer, get fitter and "just be more normal". He took up wheelchair sports a few years ago and found his niche.
"Wheelchair sport is the one thing that makes me feel unstoppable."
Having already completed a business diploma, he took on a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation at Toi-Ohomai Institute of Technology two years ago and was enjoying the best health of his life.
Then came September 23. Sligo was competing in the two-day National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Tauranga when he felt tingling in his foot.
"I only got to play the first day. On the second day I was having my leg cut off."
This week, he was unsure of what the future would bring. If the skin on his stump healed over well he hoped to get a really good prosthetic that would enable him to get back into sport.
With two legs the same length, it might even lead to more freedom than he had before the amputation.
He credited the support of his family - sister Cristalle, mum Pauline and dad Pete - for helping him stay mentally tough through the pain and setbacks.
Fundraiser to get Johnny Blaze back to "monstering"
Sligo has never been good at asking for help. But when he lost his leg, he did not have to ask.
His sister Cristalle and friends Angela Wallace and Amanda Lowry took the reins, organising a Givealittle campaign and ocean swim fundraiser to get him the prosthetic and other equipment that would allow him to, as Lowry put it, get back to "monstering" - on the court and in other athletic endeavours.
Lowry, who became a tetraplegic in a surfing accident four years ago, volunteered to be "orca bait" in support of her friend.
On November 25 the paralympic swimming hopeful will tackle the longest ocean swim of her life, from Mount Maunganui beach to Rabbit Island and back, accompanied by other experienced ocean swimmers.
The mother-of-two, who has just 14 per cent body functionality, was expecting it to be tough, but said it would be worth it to raise money for Sligo.
The pair played wheelchair sports together and were both on the board of Parafed - an organisation dedicated to bringing sporting opportunities to people with disabilities.
She has seen first-hand his ability to inspire and willingness to share his time and knowledge to help others.
Ocean swim for Johnny Blaze
- Saturday 25 November, 9-11.30am
- Corner of Banks Ave and Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui
- Come along to watch, support, play beach sports and enjoy lunch provided by Bayfair
DONATE: givealittle.co.nz/cause/johnnyblaze
