Joseph was injured in 2005 after diving off a dock into a river in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he struck a rock and shattered his C5 vertebra. The injury left him a quadriplegic and required extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation, inlcuding months of inpatient therapy to rgain independence. During rehab, he was introduced to wheelchair rugby, and he has since gone on to compete at the highest levels, including training with Team USA.