Don't Drink And Ride

Finally Back To Work

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 23:43:30 +0000

Just one year after my accident, in October 1994, I went back to work. I was starting out working just twenty hours a week and hopefully I would build up to working full time. In March of 1995, I quit working. I just couldn’t do even twenty hours a week. I was still learning how my body worked, and it just wasn’t working out.

The next job I had was helping out some family friends, at their business. I was able to do this job, but it had unique circumstances, since for most of the day, I was the only one in the office. This allowed me to wear shorts, and I could take off my braces, which made it more comfortable. The knee brace I wear actually hurts my leg. Of course, just touching my leg with your finger makes it hurt too, so the knee brace on it all day can get very uncomfortable. I did this job for a little while, but it eventually ran its course.

After that, I kind of lost my will to work. My disabilities seemed to be too much of a hindrance. I thought about all the problems I had on a daily basis and how they would affect me getting a real job again. Over the years, I had all these scenarios built up in my head, but I honestly didn’t know if they were real or contrived. There was only one way to find out, and that was to get another job.

Earlier this year I took a leap of faith and got one of those temporary census jobs. I thought this would be the perfect job to see if I could actually work again. As I said, I had all these ideas in my head about how my disabilities would affect my job. After just one week, I knew that those thoughts were not just in my head. Everything that I thought would be a problem turned out to be just as I expected.

The number one obstacle to me working is the pain I have to deal with. Some days it’s not so bad, but other days it’s just tough. It makes it really hard to sit and concentrate. The lack of control of my bladder and bowels also affects my ability to work. My bladder is more of an inconvenience than a problem, but my bowels are going to always be a cause for concern. Even though the physical problems are rare, the mental stress of not having control of my bowels is indescribable. If I do have any problems or even think I might be about to have problems, my day is shot. I generally don’t leave the house.

What I have learned is that it’s going to be really tough for me to work. In this condition, I won’t ever be able to work an eight hour a day job again. I now know I can do four or five and maybe six at the most. I’m just going to have to find the perfect situation for me, with a very understanding boss. It’s going to be hard, but it’s something I’m determined to do.

Nonstop Pain Update

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 01:26:08 +0000

After doing nothing about my pain for years, I finally went to see a pain specialist, in Atlanta, that specializes, in pain, in patients with a spinal chord injury. He was a great doctor that really understood what I was going through. I had finally found a doctor that knew what I was talking about.

He prescribed me a couple pain meds that had no effect at all. I tried Lyrica, which was specifically for the pain in my legs. It didn’t take away my pain, but it did make my legs go numb, which made it hard to walk. The Lyrica did help the muscle spasms I have at night, which make it hard to sleep. My spasms would get so bad that my legs would start jerking almost like a piston pumping. The Lyrica along with a sleeping pill has pretty much eliminated that problem. I’m able to get a full night’s sleep, after so many years of being up all night.

In the end, there wasn’t a pill that reduced my pain even a little bit. The last thing to try is to have a pump surgically implanted, in my back, that will inject pain medication directly into my spinal chord. This could work, but even though the pain is extremely severe, I’ve decided not to do this. I don’t know how this will affect my body, and it is a little scary. I also have these feelings and sensations I get that let me know when I might be having some problems. Would that medicine take those sensations away? I don’t know, but I can’t take that chance. Those sensations are vital to my comfort. I’m so attuned to my body now that I know exactly when things are not right. It’s just not worth the risk to me. I’ve been hurting for sixteen years now, so I guess I can live with it a little longer.

If Tomorrow Never Comes

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:03:55 +0000

Saturday September 11, 1993 is a day I will never forget. There was a volleyball tournament that I really wanted to play in, but my usual partner had committed to play with someone else. It was going to be the biggest and best tournament our area had ever seen because some great players, from out of town, were coming in to play. I was disappointed by his decision, so I made other plans. I was going to watch the Alabama football game, with a friend, and then go watch the end of the tournament, which is exactly what I ended up doing.

That day is so memorable, for me, because of what happened that morning. At about 9am, I got a call from a friend that was at the tournament. He told me that there was a guy there that wanted to know if I wanted to play, with him. This was not just some average player. He was a veteran that was very good. He would have clearly been the best partner I’d have ever played with. It would have given me a chance to see how good I had gotten, with a great partner, against very good competition. It was what I had been hoping for, since I started playing volleyball. I thought about it, but in the end, I said no. That day was the only time I ever turned down the chance to play in a tournament. That is one of the biggest regrets I have, in my life. I turned it down because I thought there would be many more tournaments. I didn’t know that my volleyball days were about to come to an end. There are many other regrets I have, but that is the one that still bothers me, to this day, because of how much I loved playing volleyball.

My life was taken away from me because I was stupid and irresponsible. I haven’t had the opportunity to experience the things, in my adult life, that most of you have. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I do not regret the life I was living before I got hurt. I regret my irresponsible behavior, but not the life I was living. I was living my life to the fullest and doing exactly what I wanted. I got to travel and experience things that even some of you would be envious of. I can’t explain how cool it was to travel to a beach, sleep in your car, shower by jumping in the pool of a near by hotel, change in the bathroom of McDonald’s, and then spend an entire day playing beach volleyball. What a cool lifestyle to live. I could have had so many more experiences like that, but I threw it all away.

I’m sharing this story because I want to remind people that none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, so don’t take life for granted. In today’s world, people get so wrapped up in the craziness of each day that they don’t take time to really enjoy the simple things in life. How many times do people put off doing something today until tomorrow? How many of you had planned on doing something that you really wanted to but never did because you kept putting it off? I’ve heard many stories about people that saved their money, so they could enjoy it when they retired only to die shortly after retiring. That is just so sad. We should be enjoying life as its happening and not putting it off until later.

I’m not suggesting that people blow their life savings now especially in this economy. I’m strongly suggesting that you take a moment to evaluate your life. Think about the things that you’ve always wanted to do and could actually do, but you have just kept putting them off. It’s never too late until it actually is too late. When that time comes, I promise you. You will be kicking yourself for the things you could have done but never did. Sixteen years later I still am.

“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” James Dean

My Sister’s Story

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:56:38 +0000

I was 15 years old and was left at home with my brother for the weekend. It was a Saturday night, and I wanted to drive my dad’s truck, to a friend’s house, but my brother wouldn’t let me. I got so upset with him because he had ruined my night. I had to stay home while he went out with friends. As he drove off I screamed “I hate you”! If I had only known those could have been the last words I said to him. I woke up the next morning and was told Lance had been in an accident. My aunt drove me to the hospital, to meet my parents. I remember going into this small room, for a meeting, with the doctor. He told us that Lance was paralyzed and would never walk again. The first time I saw him I told him that I DID love him. I am thankful “I hate you” weren’t the last words I said to him.

He was moved into ICU. Three days later the doctor wanted to talk to the family again. As we were standing in the hallway, in front of the waiting room, the doctor proceeds to tell us that he may not live through the next 24 hours. There my mom collapsed to the floor, and my daddy picked me up over his shoulder, to take me outside, because I couldn’t stop screaming “NO”. I remember seeing my “bubba”, someone who used to wrestle me daily, lying there unable to speak, sit up, get out of the bed, or walk. It was very hard seeing someone you have always looked up to, childlike again. I remember spending Thanksgiving in the rehab cafeteria. He did get to come home for Christmas. We had to have our doorways widened, at home, to accommodate a wheelchair. I remember when he was in rehab in Atlanta, and he moved his toe for the first time. It was like we had a winning lotto ticket. After several months he was finally able to walk again. He was literally a walking miracle.

Three years later I had a baby. She was the first grandchild and Lance’s niece. He could only hold her while sitting. He was unable to pick her up on his own, walk around holding her, or play with her like the excited Uncle he was. It’s sad that Lance will not get to experience being a father, because he would be a great one. I think about how his accident has affected me never being an aunt. It is heartbreaking that I will never have a niece or nephew and that my children will never have cousins to grow up with. Lance was an avid volleyball player and has been teaching my daughter the game. He is unable to show her several things in the game, such as setting due to his disabilities, but he is able to teach her the basics of the game.

It’s been hard seeing someone that was well known and liked by all basically become a hermit for the past 12 years. He lost touch with the majority of his friends. Lance would go to church, to the doctor, and sit at home. However, he wasn’t sitting at home having a pity party for himself. One thing he doesn’t do is complain about his disabilities. I have never seen someone go through so much and still have the most positive outlook on life. He continually thanks God everyday for his blessings.

The hardest thing for me to see is him being single. He hasn’t experienced having a spouse or children. Those are the things I treasure most, in my life, and I want my brother to know that feeling. You have someone that is attractive, intelligent, funny, and a Godly man that is still single. I understand that he is unable to work and financially support a family, but he has so much to offer. He knows how to love, respect, and care for a woman. However, some women aren’t able to overlook his disability and see him for who and what he really is about. Lance is the most inspirational person I have ever seen. He goes through a daily struggle with pain, yet never complains.

If you know someone that drinks and drives….or rides, with someone that has been drinking, please take the keys! It only takes that one ride, one short drive to change your FAMILY’S life forever.

My Mother’s Story

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:45:56 +0000

October 17, 1993

I remember the phone ringing around 5:00am. Lamar and I had only been home a few hours, from the Alabama/Tennessee ballgame. He answered the phone, and they told him our son had been in a wreck. I got on the phone and asked was he okay, and they said they weren’t allowed to give out any information and just come to the hospital. I was thinking he had a fender bender and was fussing that he better not have messed up his car. There are two ways to get to the highway from our house, and we took the short cut through a dirt road, since it was shorter and we were in a hurry. Now we know that, if we had gone the other way, we would have seen his car and knew it was bad.When we got to the hospital, I went in to see him, and he was conscious. The first thing he said was we should have won that ball game. We tied that day. I said I know but are you okay. He seemed fine and looked good. I could smell the alcohol on him, but as any mother, I was thinking he just smelled like that and it wasn’t bad. They came in and said they were going to do some test. They took a pin and slide it up and down the bottom of his foot and he didn’t flinch. I asked them what was going on. They said they were doing a scan, but they would have to wait until someone got there that could do it. They did the test and while we waited I began to get worried because it didn’t seem to be looking very good. The doctor came out and told us they were transferring him to St Francis to see a specialist because he was paralyzed. I fainted. All I remember is them giving me a shot and everyone was crying and using the phones. It was like a blur.

I don’t remember the ride to St Francis Hospital, but do remember when we got there. Dr Adams took him right in and started checking him, while we waited, in this little room. I don’t even remember who was there with me and Lamar. Dr Adams came in and told us there was a lot of swelling, on his spinal cord, and that he would be paralyzed for life. He said he will never be able to get from the bed to his wheelchair or feed himself. I asked maybe when the swelling goes down it will look better. He said no it will not get better. I started to cry and wanted to hate the doctor, since he was not telling me what I wanted to hear. They moved us to the ICU waiting room, in this other little room, and I was scared again because I knew this room was where they put you to only tell you bad news. People were beginning to hear and coming there to see us. As we waited, I only remember crying every time someone new came in, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I kept thinking this is not real. I am going to wake up and realize this is a nightmare. This couldn’t happen to my son, my baby. I wanted to scream. I wanted to wake up and get this over. Help me I thought. I can’t breathe. Oh God, how could this happen?

We were waiting in the hall, to go see him, and Dr Adams came by to tell us that he was not able to breathe on his on, and they were going to have to do a trach on him. He explained that with his chest paralyzed that he could not take deep breaths. He said I have had good survival rate on doing trachs, and I was like what does that mean, he could die? He said yeah. I fainted because I had never thought he would die. I just thought he’d be paralyzed, which was bad enough but not die. It was happening again. I wanted to scream help me God this can’t be real not my baby. I told Lamar you talk to him from now on because I don’t like what he tells me.

It was then that Lamar and I went to the chapel. I fell on my knees, at the altar, and told God I give him to you to do your will not mine. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do except when I lost my baby at birth. I knew I could not help him and that God was the only one who could do this. It was so hard, there again I could not breathe. We stayed in the chapel crying and praying.

We spent two weeks at St Francis ICU and every time I went in to see him, I would stop before I went in his room and ask God to give me strength to not let him see how worried I was. Then I would leave his room and fall apart crying my heart out. Every time I looked at him I wanted to close my eyes and start over. I wanted to go back to Saturday and take him to the game with us and then he would be safe. If I had only been at home, he would have been there with us, or I could have gone and picked him up. This was still a nightmare and I was going to wake up soon.

He had so many wonderful friends that visited and that did so many wonderful things. It would take me pages and pages to tell you what all happened to him in those two weeks, from Gene Stallings (Alabama football coach) calling him in ICU, to his friends signing a volleyball for him (he played beach volleyball) to receiving so many wonderful gifts, food and most of all the prayers.

We were told that they could not keep him any longer because they had done all they could do. They recommended Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. They came down to look at Lance’s condition and decided to accept him. That was on Friday and we had to leave on Monday. We left telling all the wonderful doctors and nurses, in ICU, good bye. We had such a wonderful crew. Charlotte was his favorite nurse. He thought she was so pretty, and she was very protective of him. His other nurse Denise that said he looked like her son, and she had a hard time, at first, taking care of him.

As we left that morning following the ambulance to Atlanta, it was very hard knowing my son was in front of me, and I couldn’t be with him. He could be hurting and wanting his mother. No matter how old you are you still want your mother. We had friends and family there to tell him bye. When we arrived, I had no idea what we were going to see. It was sad. It was so sad. It happened again. I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to scream. I wanted to wake up. This was not real. Help me Lord, help me. When he was taken to his room, all I could do was want to cry, but I couldn’t let him see me. They would not let us stay with him overnight, so this was the first time I had left him. I had a friend that lived in Atlanta that took us in and let us live with her for four months mostly on weekends. We were there everyday from early morning until they ran us out at night. It finally came to Sunday night and I had to go home and leave him by himself. I just could hardly leave. It was 11:30 before Lamar and I left. I cried all the way home that I had to leave my son, my baby at that hospital paralyzed all by himself.

We went to work that Monday and around 10:00am Lance called and he was scared. I asked him did he want me to come up there, and he said yes so I said I will be there as soon as I can. Then a PT came in, to take him to therapy, so he said let me call you back before you come up here. So I hung up the phone and just laid my head on my desk and cried and cried. To think my son was up there all by himself and there was nothing I could do about it. I had to work especially now with the expense of traveling to Atlanta. In about thirty minutes, he called me back and said he was okay and for me not to come. I was so torn. I wanted to go right to him right then, but I still needed to work. My boss had been very nice to me because I had been gone for three weeks.

Lamar and I spent the next month leaving at 5:00pm, when we got off work, and traveling to Atlanta every day and we would leave Atlanta at about 11:00 at night. On Friday’s, we would go by and pick up Sommer, our daughter, because she was staying with her aunt, since we were never home, and go to Atlanta then come home Sunday night. After that first month, we had friends that started going with us, and we would take turns. One would go one night and the other the next night. We did that for about a month then we started going twice a week. Then we would just go on Wednesday and Fridays.

When we first got to Atlanta it was November 1^st. Around the last week of November, I was putting lotion on Lance’s foot because I use to lotion his feet, and tell him that one day I am going to do this and you are going to move your foot. That Sunday night I was doing that, and he moved his foot. I ran outside and got Lamar, and we were running up and down the halls shouting he can move and called everyone in Phenix City to tell them. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. He started raising his leg, and before we brought him home four months later, he was beginning to walk. He came home in his wheelchair but continued therapy and was walking with a cane in a short time.

I could go on and on about all the miracles we have experienced but he would have no space left on his website. What I really want you to get out of this message is that miracles do happen, but don’t let it get to that point where you have to pray for a miracle. Parents talk to your children. Find out where they are, who they are with, and BEG them not to drink and drive or ride with someone that is drinking. We had always told Lance to call us and we will come get you, but he made a bad decision to drive home. We can’t always protect our children, but please make sure they see his website and let them know what could happen and that in the blink of an eye your whole life changes. I am so proud of my son because he has taken his disability and trying to reach other people not just teenagers but also adults to do the right thing and act responsible. He also learned without God he is nothing and neither are we. I always thought about if he had died that night he would have never known Jesus so it is worth knowing that now he is going to heaven and having to live with his disability is better than if he had died that night. God spared his life so he could help others, so please help him get his message out to all that need it.

Handicap Parking Spaces

admin — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:32:36 +0000

How many times have you been tempted to park in the handicapped parking space, when you’re just going to be a minute? How many times have you seen a completely healthy person park in the handicap parking, with a handicap permit? Does that annoy you as much as it does me?

I’m more disabled than probably ninety percent of the people that park in handicap parking’s, yet I actually feel bad about it. If there’s another parking space available, I’ll use it just in case someone more disabled than me comes along. Isn’t it time more people start feeling this way? Why are these lazy, sorry people allowed to do this? Shouldn’t someone be there enforcing the law? I personally think that not only should healthy people that misuse a handicap permit be punished, but the doctor that signed off on the permit should be fined too. What has happened to common decency?

Thankful

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:35:47 +0000

April 24, 2009

I thought I would take some time to remind everyone to take a moment and think about how blessed you are. Too often in this world, people focus on the negative things in their life instead of all the positives. Thankfully, I’m not one of those people. I’m always being reminded of just how blessed I am.

As I sat in church one Sunday, I noticed this young girl that was disabled. She was not only physically disabled, but she appeared to have a mental disability also. I just kind of stared at her and almost cried. Why her? She’s so innocent and undeserving of that life. How could I ever be depressed about my situation? I had so much and threw it all away, but I did have it. I had twenty-one great years. I got to do so much that she never will be able to do. Even today, despite all my physical problems, I can still enjoy a life that many people can’t. Being depressed would be like slapping God, in the face, for all he’s done for me. I get down once in awhile, but I don’t get depressed. I just focus on constantly thanking God for all my blessings. I’ve learned that when you focus on Him you’re not focusing on your problems. He truly is a great God!

I ask that you take just a moment and thank God for all that He’s done for you. You should also take a moment to say a prayer for all those people that are less fortunate. No matter how bad you’re problems are you have to remember that things could always be worse. If you don’t believe that, just watch the news, and you will see many examples of people throughout the world that are less fortunate than you. Always be thankful for what you have.

Nonstop Pain

admin — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:54:44 +0000

April 24, 2009

Since I’ve had my accident, there has been one constant, in my life. It is nonstop pain, from my neck down. The pain last 24/7. There is rarely a break from it. This is very common in patients with incomplete spinal chord injuries. It is called neuropathic or phantom pain. This pain is hard to treat because it’s not real pain. There is actually nothing wrong to cause the pain. I’ve been to the doctors many times because I thought there was something bad happening. I have severe pain, on the right side, of my abdomen. I used to worry that it was my appendix, and I would get the doctors to check it out. It would always come back as nothing, so I’ve decide not to go back to the doctors, for the pain. I know that I could have something major going on and not know it, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.

When I talk about my pain, people really don’t understand just how severe it is. If someone spent just five minutes in my body, they would be shocked at the amount of pain I’m really in. I have pain in my abdomen that can be severe at times, but it comes and goes. I have pain in my lower back that can be extremely severe. I describe it this way. Imagine if someone put a claw like grip on your lower back and just started twisting it continually. The more I walk or longer I stand the worse the pain gets. I also have severe pain in my legs. I have pain in my butt and behind my thighs that make it uncomfortable to sit. If you were to be around me, while I was sitting down, you would notice that I squirm a lot, in my seat. It’s because of that pain. The worst pain I have is in my lower left leg from my knee down. This is the pain that makes it miserable for me, when I go out. It’s like someone is taking athletic tape and wrapping it around my foot continuously. It is unbelievably uncomfortable.

I never thought there was anything that could be done about the pain that I’m in, but thankfully I have found some medicine that seems to be helping. I was referred to the Shepherd Pain Institute, in Atlanta, and they have finally given me some hope that the pain can be treated. I’m just wanting the pain in my legs gone because I can handle all the other pain. The pain in my legs is by far the most debilitating. I’m now taking the medicine Lyrica, which seems to be helping. There finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m able to deal with this pain because of my faith in God. Most people have no idea I’m even in pain, and it’s all because of the strength I get from Him. He has been and always will be the best pain medicine available. If not for my faith in God, I would probably be dead now, but with God, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.

What Hurt The Most

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:04:02 +0000

April 9, 2009

When I look back, at my accident, the thing that hurts the most is what I put my family and friends through. Ever time I hear their stories, about their reaction, it just kills me inside. I can barely talk about what my mother went through, without getting choked up. If I would’ve died that night, my sister would have had to live the rest of her life knowing that her last words to me were “I hate you”. They were the result of a typical brother sister fight, but they are so much more powerful when put in that context.

Despite all the things I was going through, I feel like I had the easier time of it. I knew what I was feeling and what was going on. They were left to the mercy of a doctor that wasn’t too optimistic. He will be like this. He won’t be able to do this. Doctors may play God, but they aren’t God. I knew everything was going to be ok, but I couldn’t communicate that to my family because I couldn’t talk. That is such a horrible feeling. You want so badly to tell your loved ones that everything is ok, but you physically can’t.

One of the few clear memories I have, of my time, in the hospital, is one of my grandparents. As I’m being pushed, on a stretcher, to the ambulance that’s going to take me to Atlanta, I passed by them in the hall. I just remember how sad they looked. That’s one memory part of me wishes I could erase, but I’m glad I can’t because it also reminds me of how far I’ve come. I remember when I first got to Atlanta. My parents had gone back home to Alabama, and I was all alone. I remember calling my mother at work and crying because I was scared and lonely. I feel bad about that now that I look back on it. How must she have felt? Here’s her son paralyzed, alone, and two hours away crying. It just drives me nuts thinking about everything I put them through.

We never think about how our actions are going to affect our family and friends. We generally just focus on us. I know that right now, in my life, I’m not really needed here, but at the same time, I know that I’m wanted. It’s that sense of want that allows me to fight through the pain. It’s that same sense of want that gives me the motivation to take care of myself and not waste the second chance God has given me. Everyone should think about how their actions affect their family and friends. It’s not fun to watch them suffer because of your stupidity.

It’s Not All Physical

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:59:44 +0000

April 3, 2009

Just recently I woke up about six ‘o clock one morning. As I was laying in bed, I had all these thoughts going through my head about my life. I was thinking about the future and what I really wanted, in my life. I was thinking about how my disabilities had always had me in a negative mindset, when it came to having children, in my life. Then all of a sudden, it was like God just spoke to me and the flood gates of insight just opened. God always seems to speak to me most clearly at night when I’m laying in bed and my mind is the most clear. I’ll give a great example of what I’m talking about.

I went to the doctor, and he told me my cholesterol was high. I needed to change my diet, and my dietician told me that I needed to add more cinnamon to my diet. So soon after, I wake up in the middle of the night. I got this feeling that God was telling me that I need to go to church and get my pastor to pray for me. So I go to our Tuesday morning prayer service, and I tell Brother Danner about that and get him to pray for me. He gets his anointing oil and prays for me. The anointing oil had a familiar scent to it, so I asked him what it was. He said it was some new oil they had just got in, and it was cinnamon. Amazing right?

As I’m laying there I started thinking about how my disabilities had always impacted my thoughts on having a family. I never wanted my own child or a woman with a child because of my disabilities. I had always focused on how they would affect my interaction with the child, in their younger years. I would never be able to run and play ball with them. I could teach them the techniques of playing sports, but for some reason, I wouldn‘t allow myself to see any benefit in that. I would never be able to do a lot of the things that fathers could do with their little children.

All these thoughts lead me down one path. I was always focusing on being a parent of a young child. What a narrow sighted outlook that was. That is such a small amount of time, in the life, of your kids. We are looking at about six or seven years max. I had never thought about being a parent when the kid got older. When they get older, the physical interaction between parent and child diminishes greatly. Then it becomes how good of a parent and role model you are for the kid. I may not be able to run around with my kid at six, but I think my kid would be fortunate to have a dad like me when they got older. Think about all the completely healthy men that are horrible dads. I know quite a few, and I bet most people do too. Do you think a child would rather have a dad that’s healthy and doesn’t love them and treat them right, or a dad, in my condition, that would truly love them and care for them like God intended for a man to do. I may be wrong, but I think I could and would be a great dad not to mention a pretty great husband. I’ve got so much more to offer than the average parent because I’ve been through so much in my life. That is what God showed me. I was focusing too much on being a parent of a little child instead of on the totality of parenthood.

It has changed my outlook on life dramatically. I now feel like I’m more of a complete man. It has actually given me even more of a sense of normality. I have a new desire and determination that I haven’t had since my accident. I am focused, and I am driven! I’m not only hoping I can find a job, but I’m believing I’m going to be able to finally work, when I get this pain taken care of.

All these changes, in my life, would not have happened if God hadn’t brought a very special person into my life. God sometimes uses us by just having us be ourselves. You never know when you might really touch someone by just being who you are. Sadly there are fewer and fewer wonderful people in this world. More and more people seem to only care about themselves. When God puts one of those wonderful people in your life, don’t ever let them go, whether they be just a friend or something more. Life is too short not to have these people enjoying it with you.