The Quad-Rocker, Tyler

This is Ron with your Motivational Message:

A few years back I was speaking to a group of newly-injured individuals while I was visiting Denver, Colorado at the Spinal Cord Injury Center in Craig Hospital.  To be honest, I have a very difficult time speaking to young men and women who are facing the same challenges that I have experienced.  I’m not exactly sure what to say and worry that my presence is bittersweet.  They all dream of getting well again and getting back on their feet, but there I sit in front of them, 32 years in a wheelchair.  I want to reassure them that things will get better and that they can overcome these struggles.  As I speak to them, I hope that what I’m saying is encouraging and not discouraging.  In spite of my uneasiness, however, my story did leave hope and inspiration with 17 individuals and their families that day.

As I shared my story, my attention was drawn to a young man who was paralyzed from the neck down and was dependent on a ventilator.  His parents stood close to him during my talk to the patients and Tyler smiled every once in a while when I cracked a stupid joke.  I remember noticing the brightly colored tennis shoes that he wore.  After my presentation I approached Tyler and asked, “hey, dude, where did you get those fancy tennis shoes?”  The ventilator pushed air into his lungs and he responded, “Nike made them for me.”  Tyler was a snowboarder who was moving up quickly and sponsors were getting behind him, including Nike.  He had made it to the United States of America Snowboarding Association (USASA) Nationals when a freak accident occurred.  After an incredible run, the nose of his board had become embedded in the snow and launched him forward into a snow bank.  The packed snow snapped his vertebrae and he was instantly paralyzed from the neck down.  He was only 14 at the time.

We ended up speaking for quite some time and it turned out that he was from Bend, Oregon.  Being Oregonians ourselves, we decided to get together again once Tyler was finished with his rehabilitation.  Over the years, we have met up with each other several times and on every occasion we help inspire one another.  It is encouraging to have friends who are living under similar circumstances and are able to relate to your struggle.  I have inspired and motivated Tyler, and in turn, he has truly been an inspiration to me.

This last weekend, Tyler, his parents, and his girlfriend came by for a visit.  He was excited to introduce his girlfriend and also to show us his project, a van loaded with new high tech equipment.  It was heartwarming to see his girlfriend sit and hold his paralyzed hand.  She was able to look past his paralysis; you could tell their hearts were connected.  The way that they looked at each other was reminiscent of my wife and me when we first got together.

To watch a video of Tyler and his new van:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFdG_9IZaso[/youtube]

If you cannot view the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFdG_9IZaso

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZsQyfwyyE[/youtube]

If you cannot view the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZsQyfwyyE

You never know when and where God will bring a person into your life that not only inspires you, but reaches you on a deeper level.  Sometimes in our weakest moments, something wonderful will happen.  I’ve had several opportunities to speak at Craig Hospital and each time I’ve experienced a blessing.  I encourage you to go beyond your weakness because it is in that moment that we may change or be changed by the presence of another life. I thank the Lord for bringing our families together and I pray that Tyler will continue to rise above his physical limitations.

To your inspiration,

Ron

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