But now the 37-year-old from Warrington is rated best in Britain and fifth in the world.
And John has just celebrated winning a team gold medal with Great Britain at the European Championships in Poland.
Meanwhile 1,000 miles away, his 14-year-old son Mike, who took up the sport when he was 10, won the U16's Cheshire Championships on the same day.
"It was certainly a memorable day for the family," said John who is confined to a wheelchair following his accident.
He has won many events, but rates his latest gold as his best achievement, although he also represents Cheshire in the able-bodied branch of the sport.
He competes with the North Cheshire Bowmen based in Timperley and has been a Master Bowman for three years.
John went to the International Paralympic Committee European Championships and reached the quarter-finals of the individual event competing against the best disabled archers in the world.
And, with the sport being considered for future Olympics Games, John's dream is he can one day represent his country as both a disabled and able-bodied archer.
But, with son Mike showing a good eye for the sport, he may have some stiff competition.
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