A perplexing ailment had incapacitated 22-year-old Danny Casper, rendering him incapable of even rudimentary actions. In a remarkably short span, he transitioned from leading one of the nation’s premier curling squads to finding it arduous to exit his bed or navigate stairs without aid.
Initially, Casper dismissed the discomfort that developed in his neck and back towards the conclusion of a February 2024 mixed doubles competition. He blamed the discomfort on his awkward sweeping method, attempting to steer the curling stone’s trajectory. As the captain and main strategist for his male team, Casper usually delegated sweeping responsibilities to others. However, in mixed doubles, this alternative was unavailable.
Danny Casper during Wednesday’s match against Team Czechia at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on February 11, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
(Julian Finney via Getty Images)
The physical distress monopolized Casper’s thoughts shortly after his return to his residence in the Minneapolis suburbs. Intense, shooting pains descended his limbs. His extremities, both hands and feet, experienced persistent tingling sensations, reminiscent of pins and needles. He became dependent on his housemates for food preparation and cleaning his clothes. He possessed only a minimal sensation in his digits, making it difficult to even clumsily type out messages on his mobile device.
Upon Casper’s initial series of diagnostic examinations, healthcare professionals found themselves as baffled as he felt.
With the passage of several weeks devoid of a diagnosis or effective therapeutic strategy, Casper’s psychological condition deteriorated. His concerns shifted from merely recuperating for the impending curling season. During his deepest moments of despair, gazing at the ceiling from his bed, his mind gravitated towards “the most dire possibilities.”
“I attempted to view programs and other diversions to occupy myself, but the experience was quite dreadful,” Casper recounted to Yahoo Sports. “For a period, my focus shifted from curling entirely. It became about simply facing the next day.”
Indeed, that ‘tomorrow’ has arrived, bringing Casper to Cortina, Italy, where this past Wednesday, he guided Team USA to triumph against Czechia in their inaugural contest of these Olympic Games.
