This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
Happy New Year! I hope that 2013 for you will be full of love, peace, and pleasant surprises . 🙂
I just wanted to share a quick video of Gracie and I creating masterpieces. Please enjoy!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z659TA3hHZY&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1[/youtube]
To your inspiration,
Ron
On Christmas morning I awoke to my seven year old jumping on my bed. As she grabbed my motionless arms she excitedly screamed “Santa Claus came! Get up! Get up!” Of course, I had to wait until my caregiver dressed me and transferred me to my chair, but that didn’t hold back my own excitement. She ran out the door then turned around and yelled to me, “Our stockings are full, but Santa didn’t leave you anything!” Whoops, guess Daddy must’ve been on the Naughty List!
Remembering the thrill of being a child on Christmas certainly helps to offset the reality of being an adult on Christmas! If you’re like me, then the hustle and bustle of the holiday has left you feeling a little less than fulfilled and maybe a bit anxious. It is about this time every year where I’m faced with a difficult task: seeking financial support. Asking for help is never an easy thing to do, and I struggle with it every time. However, every once in a while I must present the need in order for the need to be met. As my Christian brother once told me, “If you don’t let others help, you rob them of their blessing.” 2013 is especially important for my donors as the need for inspiration, hope, and determination in our country is at an all-time high.
I would like to thank those of you who have prayed for and supported us in the past and would ask you to consider either making a one-time donation or becoming a monthly donor. By giving to Never Give Up (tax-deductible) you will be aiding me in spreading my message of faith and inspiration. You can also opt to donate to me personally which gives me access to the medical care that I desperately need. Our goal is to raise at least $500.00 more per month in donations to cover costs. A bonus to giving to Never Give Up before January 1st will be the extra money you will receive on your tax return!
There are two options for providing support:
PayPal: PayPal is secure and easy to use. By choosing PayPal you will receive an email receipt for each donation you make and will be able to view your donations online. If you would like to be a monthly donor, you can even set up automatic monthly donations in the amount that you choose. Click the following links for a simple way to give through PayPal:
Never Give Up: https://www.ronheagy.com/donate-never-give-up.php
Ron Heagy: https://www.ronheagy.com/donate-ron-heagy.php
Mail-In: Should you prefer to give by mail, our mail-in donations address is: P.O. Box 972, Albany, OR 97321. Make sure to specify what you would like the funds to go to by making the check out to Ron Heagy (for personal support) or to Never Give Up (non-profit support; tax-deductible). You can call our office at 541-926-1839 for more information.
I hope you were able to take time this holiday to be a kid, yourself. If you didn’t, then it’s not too late to get out there and play in the snow, splash in a puddle, or just yell at the top of your lungs. Give it up and be a kid again! I’m sure if you think back to your fondest childhood holiday memories you will find that it was the people, the experiences, and the embraces that make this season a truly wonderful celebration of life.
I dearly appreciate you and look forward to a productive new year! Even though times may be hard, together we can all achieve greater goals.
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
December 19th was my wife, Kelli’s, birthday. When you get a chance, please wish her a happy birthday.
This week I was booked to present at an assisted living community in Salem. Despite the age difference, I felt I could relate to the residents because of their physical limitations and dependence on the care of others. As I shared my story, I watched their faces. Some smiled politely while others remained expressionless. I attempted to get a few laughs, and succeeded in making a couple of the residents chuckle. Once I wrapped up my speech, a few came by to look at our display and enjoy my artwork.
When I left, I did so with a sense of sadness. Not because of the residents, but because of my situation. I thought to myself, “How
can you be an encouragement when you feel so discouraged?” I felt as though I had been “faking it ‘til I could make it.” However, God was quick to remind me of my blessings. Later that day while speaking with my seven year old, Gracie, I realized how precious life is, even though sometimes there are deep valleys we must cross.
Then today, as I rolled into my office my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, so went to hit the “ignore” button. I couldn’t hit it fast enough and the call went through. To my surprise, it was a man named Les, whom I had not heard from in years. He told me that he was prompted to call me when he heard my name being announced over an airport intercom. The odd thing was that it had been over a year since I last traveled by plane. He went on to wish me a Merry Christmas and to remind me that God loves me. Les knew that although I can be an encouragement to others, I too, need encouragement. That phone call changed my perspective and lifted my spirits. I thank God that Les heard my name over the intercom and contacted me.
I encourage you today to keep your head up! If you’re feeling down, keep your ears tuned and God may whisper your name. You are loved, keep the faith. By all means, if you think of someone else, give them a call.
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
This week has been one of the toughest weeks I think I have ever had to face, and I must admit, I’m in no mood to write a motivational message. To make matters worse, I was scheduled to have eye surgery for my glaucoma, which included a two-hour drive in the Oregon rain. I was rightfully feeling overwhelmed and a bit down when I could not find a ride to my appointment, but
Thank God that my father was willing to be with me. To have him with me felt like a cool cup of water on a hot summer day. It is nice to have a close relative near when things are not going your way.
As we proceeded to the hospital elevator, we were stalled by a large crowd of people sharing the same frustration: a lack of elevators. As the doors opened for the third time, people pushed their way in front of us. “Man, we just missed that one,” I said.
At that moment, I felt a gentleman pat me on the shoulder. I turned to see a young man in his late 20’s-early 30’s and standing beside him was his lovely wife. He told me it was “cool” that I was able to operate the chair with my chin.
“I have ALS and I’ll be looking at one of these things eventually, too,” he continued. My “bah-humbug” heart was immediately opened, particularly knowing the complications of ALS. I am familiar with this terrible disease because my Uncle Doug slowly lost everything, became completely paralyzed and ultimately passed away painfully. Unfortunately, ALS has no cure at this time and
can happen to anyone at any time.
What amazed me about Skip was his positive attitude and gracious smile. My negative attitude was challenged and although my pain did not dissipate, to have someone who was also in pain encourage me, meant so much. If I would have had my way like all the other impatient folks, I might have missed meeting Skip. I would have just been another person upset that others were boarding the elevator ahead of me. It was truly destiny and an answer to my prayers that Skip and I met. I asked God to give him more days filled with smiles and may he feel His peace during the Christmas season.
We should always keep our eyes out for opportunities to encourage others, as Skip did for me. You never know whose life you may change.
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
Would you allow your daughter to receive a heartfelt gift from a homeless person?
On one of our trips to Colorado, I had the opportunity to speak to a unique church. Its name was “Scum of the Earth for Jesus,” and its mission was to reach out to those who are struggling, so I fit right in. When we reflect back on the many things that we’ve done in our lives, I’m sure we’d all realize that we have all fallen into the category of “scum of the earth” at one time or another. Jesus says that “our human righteousness is as filthy rags to God.”
When we arrived at the church, we immediately felt accepted. After sharing my life story that night, everyone sat and enjoyed a meal together. It was during this time of fellowship that we heard some heavy personal stories; I thought about how quickly any one of us could become homeless. Kelli, Gracie and I left with an appreciation and a newfound sense of compassion for those who are forced to live on the street.
On our way out the door, a homeless man offered our three year old, Gracie, a special gift.
Click here to see the gift and hear the story from Ron:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tROsEvigiE&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tROsEvigiE&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
Holidays were always an exciting time back when I was attending San Diego State University; it meant that I could go back home to Oregon and see my family. My mom was an awesome cook and I would salivate over just the thought of her moist turkey and
honey baked ham, particularly after living on canned tuna and Top Ramen.
I had a great idea one year to help offset the cost of the annual Thanksgiving trip. I could buy a pickup truck and a boat to resell in order to make a little extra cash. I shopped around and found a couple great deals. After an oil change and a tune-up we were ready to make the 1,000 mile drive. My buddy, Dave, lifted me into the front seat next to his girlfriend and then loaded my wheelchair into the truck bed. Good thing Dave’s girlfriend accompanied us, because otherwise I would have been shifting back and forth in the seat like a weeble-wobble.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly until we began to climb the hills of Los Angeles. The pickup began to sputter and eventually died on the side of the freeway. Dave was not a mechanic, so I was proud to diagnose our problem from inside the cab as the fuel filter. We bypassed the filter and it fired back up. My rear end was sore from the hard seat and I was fatigued from Finals Week. I asked Dave if he would lay me in the truck bed canopy on top of the sleeping bags. I was being lulled to sleep by the soft rumbling of the exhaust pipes when out of nowhere, “KABOOM!” A tire on the boat trailer had exploded. I could see sparks shooting out from under the tailgate as the rim dragged down the highway. Dave and his girlfriend were laughing and
talking loudly inside the cab and had not yet noticed that we had a blowout. I could not get their attention, as my screams were being drowned out by all the noise.
I thought I was going to die when the trailer began to fishtail. I feared that the pickup would be thrown out of control. Just then, one of the suitcases fell and slammed against my head, leaving my face pinned to the metal truck bed. “Lord,” I prayed, “I don’t want to die.” Dave was able to gain control of the vehicle and pulled over once again. He walked past the canopy to take a look at
the trailer, and when he heard my muffled cries from underneath the suitcases he laughed hysterically and dug me out of the pile. “It’s not funny!” I exclaimed. We finally made it to Oregon and I was truly thankful to be home. As we gathered around Thanksgiving dinner, the story of our trip was the entertainment. Our story even encouraged everyone at the table to share their own travel nightmares.
Moral to my story, stay in an upright position, keep your eyes on the road and by all means, don’t fall asleep at the wheel. As Thanksgiving approaches, may we remember those we love and let us not forget to share our appreciation and gratitude with others.
With an Attitude of Gratitude,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
As a kid I was told on a daily basis to stop “horsing around” and that “Somebody’s going to get hurt.” Sure enough, more often than not, someone would get hurt. Generally, it wasn’t me, as I was the oldest.
I remember one time hooking a rope to an old wagon, strapping it to my motorcycle and then asking my younger sister if she would like to take a ride. She was having a blast as I slowly pulled her around the yard but then all of a sudden I felt that urge. When I put the throttle to the maximum the wagon began to fishtail. She yelled, “Stop horsing around!” but it was too late. The sliding wagon came to an abrupt stop and my sister was catapulted into the air and landed on her shoulder. Her collarbone was broken and was visibly pushing against her skin. I tried to silence her screams as best I could but to no avail.
That day, my “horsing around” turned into a “horse-whippin” from my dad’s belt. That’s the last time that I let that happen, and I would like to take the opportunity to apologize to my sister for that accident, if I had forgotten to do so 40 years ago.
In the spirit of “horsing around,” I have included a small video of me working on my newest painting. Hope you enjoy it!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xmTnkVz330&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xmTnkVz330&feature=plcp
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
I want to thank you, my friends, for your kind words, prayers and support. It is because all of you that I had the opportunity to speak to nearly 1,300 high school students. The school has had some unique struggles, including the loss of two wonderful young people. As you can imagine, I felt a bit apprehensive as the gymnasium filled with energetic teenagers. I was fully aware of the responsibility I had before me in delivering a message that would not only hold their attention, but be relevant to their lives.
For 40 minutes I shared from my heart. Reading the expressions on their faces, I could see that this group was intently tuned in to what I was saying. I challenged them to pursue their passions, to tap into their potential and gifts as well as maintain a proper perspective on life. I encouraged these kids to reach out to one another: “I need you, you need me and together, we can make our
dreams a reality.” Life is a team sport and an important piece of making our life experience whole comes when we rise above our limitations through helping each other. Not only is this important to our growth and maturity, it is a precious gift to the ones we help.
As the assembly came to a close, students rose to their feet and many came to personally meet me. It was awesome to see such gratitude; it filled my heart and brought me to tears. One young man, in particular, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if I needed a friend. With a big smile on his face, he said, “I want to be your friend.” He stayed beside me as long as he could and when he was urged to go to class he turned and said, “Ron, I love you.” Brent (the excellent principal) told me afterward that this young man was one of the students he worried about and that it was a big step for him to connect and personally share with me.
My feeling of insignificance vanished when the boy uttered the words “I love you,” and “I will be your friend.” It reminded me that in the midst of all my struggles, if just one kid’s life is changed then it is worth it all. The inward focus of success is often skewed. At times, I know my focus is on the large group. Oftentimes, the response from one kid is enough; and it is quite possible all that I was intended to reach. May we continue to press on, particularly when it doesn’t seem like our lives make a difference.
With gratitude to my new buddy for reminding me, I want to thank YOU for being my friend and to say that I love you!
To show my thanks, I have made a special video for you featuring one of my newest mouthpaintings:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZStRyXJDIY&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZStRyXJDIY&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp
With an Attitude of Gratitude,
-Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
Recently, I’ve had a few people ask me about the upcoming documentary, “Hope Rod,” so I thought it would be worthwhile to share some video clips (especially for those that have yet to see them!). It was an amazing experience and I’ll always be grateful to have been given the opportunity to do something that has never been done–I broke the land speed record for quadriplegics! Reaching over 100mph in a modified Pontiac Firebird, I drove across the Alvord desert with the use of my teeth alone. I hope you enjoy the videos and please feel free to share them with your friends!
The Teaser
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYmQ2bZODFU&feature=BFa&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please visit: http://www.hoperod.com/teaser.html
The Rose Cup
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvmsG2LOU5o[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please visit: http://www.hoperod.com/trailer-1—rose-cup.html
The Desert
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJuoSRts2lY[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please visit: http://www.hoperod.com/trailer-2—the-desert.html
Thank you again to all of my supporters; you all mean so much to my family and to myself.
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
The last thing that my mother said to me before I left was, “Come over here and give me a hug.” My senior year of high school, I had prepared a trip to southern California for spring vacation. I was excited, my Volkswagen Bug was packed and I was ready for California’s beaches, babes, and surf. There was a small problem: at the last minute my parents informed me that I would be taking my 13 year old brother. “This will ruin it all,” I thought to myself. I began to scheme ways of ditching him, but nothing worked. On the day of departure, I had an attitude and chose not to hug my mother goodbye.
It was March 18th. I stepped out of my car, wiggled my toes in the sand, and gazed across the brilliant shimmer of the waves crashing against the beach. With a surf board under my arm, I headed for the waves; it was a perfect day. Moments later, I made a dive into a cresting breaker. My head smashed into the sandbar and I felt a “pop!” My neck was broken and my body went completely numb. Motionless, I slowly drifted out to sea. “This is it,” I thought to myself; “My life is over.” I didn’t hug my mother goodbye.
My Father, My Mother, and Myself
I am truly grateful that my parents made me bring my younger brother along on that trip. He saved my life and I was given a second chance. Today, October 22nd, is my mother’s birthday and it’s been four years since she went to be with Jesus. My heart longs to embrace her. When my mom and dad arrived at the hospital, I could only whisper the words, “Mom, I need a hug.” Words cannot describe the peaceful feeling that filled my soul as she held me.
Now is the perfect time to hug your mother. If you can hug someone, not only will it do you good, it will surely brighten their day. Thank you for your kind thoughts in memory of my mother, Theresa. Continue to pray for my strength and courage. I truly appreciate your friendship.
With an Attitude of Gratitude,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
I believe we can all recall at least one bully experience that we have had in our lives. Whether we have been a victim, a bully, or a bystander, most of us have encountered bullying on some level.
October is anti-bullying month, and in the spirit of this month I have made a short video for you. I hope that after you view the video, you will be encouraged to reflect on your past experiences with bullying and will look for opportunities to combat it. Perhaps you take some time to provide emotional support to someone that you normally would not, or you sit down with your children and discuss the importance of respecting others.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt8N9aPkv_A&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt8N9aPkv_A&list=UUSUzoifeoj–AyW5iXUw69w&index=1&feature=plcp
To your inspiration,
Ron
This is Ron with your Motivational Message:
I found out, firsthand (maybe more accurately “firstmouth”), that painting toenails isn’t as easy as it seems. God has blessed me with daughters, so I continually pray for the blessing of creativity because sometimes I have a hard time relating to their interests.
I was sitting at the countertop in the dining area drinking tea from a bowl Kelli had placed on a stack of books. I had been watching Gracie, our seven year old, in between the commercial breaks of the popular show “So You Think You Can Dance?”, concentrating intently on painting her fingernails. I looked at the countertop and the stack of books and without giving much thought I said, “Gracie, why don’t you let Daddy paint your toenails?”
She looked at me with excitement in her face and replied, “Okay.” We had to work out a process: she crawled onto the countertop and then placed her toes on top of the stacked books. I picked out the color red and she held out the polish brush for me to bite onto. I could barely see the end of the brush out from under the plastic cap, making it incredibly hard to focus on her tiny toenails.
But moments later, with patience and some skill, we had accomplished our first attempt at painting toenails by mouth. Kelli helped us make a short video documenting this unique father/daughter moment. I must say, even though my neck ached and I am a little braindead from the fumes, I felt proud of myself. Gracie was amazed that I was able to stay within the lines and told me that I did a good job. How’d I do? You be the judge! Click below to watch the short video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqsi85pelA&feature=plcp[/youtube]
If you cannot view the video, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqsi85pelA&feature=plcp
Please feel free to pass this along to your friends—Gracie and I are interested to know if anyone has ever painted toes before without using their hands or feet?
To your inspiration,
Ron