News: December 9, 2009

It's hard to believe it has been 5 months since that fateful day. I woke up on July 9th feeling great completely oblivious to what lay in store for me. Life was going great. There was employment on the horizon. It was a beautiful sunny summer day. I was hanging out with a beautiful girl that I adored with whom I had just spent a magical weekend kayaking in NorCal where she ran her first waterfall...I was so proud. I had plans with my good friend Tony for a full day of mt biking. Had weekend plans to go swimming at some beautiful swimming holes in the mountains close to here. I was in the best shape of my life...life was good.

I got up early that morning made breakfast and coffee for that special girl gave her a kiss and watched her head off to work. Cleaned up the dishes and sat down to get some work done for my good friend Dustin. Met up with Tony and his Uncle Jeff to shuttle Chucks Chips at around noon. 10 minutes after leaving the car we were at the first gap jump, which I had done many times before. The jump had been modified since the last time I had done it so I took a long look at it then decided to give her a go. From here things are a little hazy. I remember approaching the jump then I remember the sound of a helicopter and then the next thing I know I'm in the ER with people asking me lot's of questions. I vaguely remember being in a CAT scan machine. Then I remember Beth, Tony and Don talking to me and at this point I realized I couldn't move. Other then burning to death being paralyzed was my worst nightmare over even drowning. I distinctly remember the Dr then showing me the CAT scan of my neck and telling me that I had dislocated and fractured C6 and that he needed to operate immediately. Beth, Tony, and Don then came in to pray with me then they wheeled me into surgery. I had the distinct thought that if I couldn't move my legs that I hoped I didn't survive surgery. I remember them drilling a screw into the side of my head and then next thing I woke up in the CCU and the first face I remember seeing is Beth's. Seeing the love and concern in those beautiful green eyes I thought life might just be worth living, and then I found out there were at least 20 people waiting for me in the waiting room...life is good. The injury has left me paralyzed from the chest down. Since that day life has been a daily struggle physically, mentally, spiritually, relationally, and financially. It is safe to say that there's not one part of my life that hasn't been drastically affected, but I press on keeping my eye on the prize with the help of the loving support of my family and friends.

Life can change in an instant whether its an injury, the loss of loved one, the loss of a relationship, or the loss of your means to make a living. Why is it human nature to not appreciate something until its gone? I appreciate it now!! Do you appreciate the things in your life?

Enough of the deep stuff. I'm still working on getting the FES bike. Just need to make sure that my muscles will respond to the electrical stimulation. I'm also going to get a standing frame and a manual wheelchair. I just got a portable ramp so if you've been waiting to invite me over cuz you have steps...the wait is over. :) Oh yeah, my insurance said that a shower/commode chair is a luxury so I ordered it and paid for it directly. Now I'll be able to have a shower more than once a week. So if you have donated money it has gone to that and will go to the things listed above. If I get everything above it will total about $25,000. So thank you for your generosity. It is greatly appreciated and has a huge impact!

I've been working out at home and I continue to get stronger. Its a slow process, but its steady. I had developed some pressure sores on my heels and butt, but they have completely healed. I haven't gotten any new movement, but I'm getting stronger with what I can move.

The last couple months have been some of the hardest I have ever had to endure in my life. At times hope seemed like a dirty word that would bring nothing but pain and disappointment. I have been shaken to the very core of my existence. I've had to redefine everything in my life. I wish I could give you a cookbook answer to how I have dealt with it all. The only thing I have to offer is that I have learned that life is precious and so are the people that are a part of that life.

Now get off the computer and get out there and use those legs if you're able!!

PS: I have one question. Do anyone still read these and are they at all inspiring? Just curious.