Watch CBS News

'It's Raining, So What?': Documentary On Quadriplegic Man's Journey To Ironman

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota man has overcome tremendous obstacles to compete in an Ironman.

Joe Stone is the first known wheelchair-using quadriplegic to attempt all 140 miles of the triathlon. Now, the steps he had to take from his tragic accident to get to the finish line are the focus of a new documentary.

Stone left his hometown of Apple Valley to seek outdoor adventure in Montana. He fell in love with mountain biking, sky diving, but a speed flying accident put a stop to it all, nearly killing him.

Kevin May's film, "It's Raining, So What?" captures the candid moments of Stone's painful journey, from mentally accepting his disability, to finding new ways to seek adventure.

Viewers are even with Stone as he proposes to the love of his life. But his decision to do something no one with his level of disability has ever done before is sure to move audiences.

Just three years after his accident, Stone attempted his first triathlon, an Ironman.

"On race day it turned out to be more incredible that any of us could have imagined," May said. "We never could have written the script for how the story unfolds."

May hopes others will see Stone's determination to push the limits and perhaps question the boundaries of their lives.

"It's not saying you should go out and run an Ironmam triathlon, that's not for everybody, but maybe there is something you haven't done and you can reconsider that and say, 'wow, maybe there is more out there,'" May said.

You can see "It's Raining, So What" at the Reel Abilities Minneapolis-St. Paul Disabilities Film Festival. The festival takes place June 11 through June 14 at various theater locations throughout the Twin Cities.

Stone is currently living in Montana, but will be at the festival for the advance screening.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.