From the minute I decided I wanted to propose to Claire, I knew we were going to have the conversation. My diehard Dancing with the Stars fan-future wife was going to want to dance with me at our wedding, and I knew I was going to break her heart with my refusal. Anyone I’ve known…
Category: paralysis analysis
Another Lap Around the Sun
I have written about it a handful of times, and each time, I’ve found that my relationship with the anniversary of my accident has evolved. The first few years, I didn’t need a reminder because I’d been counting the days, breaths, and heartbeats that I’d survived along the way. At five years, I couldn’t find the words….
Back on the Right Path
Thanks to some inspiration from my buddy Ian Mackay and his epic summer ride, I’ve been taking to the trails near my house on a semi regular basis. Granted, I don’t average 30+ miles a day like that crazy hippie, but a few miles a week helps me get some fresh air and run Hank’s brain into something that…
The Recovery Waltz
One-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three. Back in college, they held an “Introduction to Ballroom Dancing” class in one of the gyms adjacent to the sports medicine room for varsity athletes – not that the CWU wrestling team actually spent much time in that area. No, the redheaded stepchildren of the athletic department rarely mingled with the revenue-generating…
Away from the Sun Again
I should be in Maryland right now. Maybe Ohio, or at least Illinois – somewhere on the road to Washington DC for a Roll on Capitol Hill that starts on Monday. I’d take anywhere but where I am now. There is an old adage that says that life is what happens when you’re busy making…
The Memory Remains
A spinal cord injury is an interesting beast to wrangle with, both physically and psychologically. It differs from other causes of paralysis like MS, ALS or Parkinson’s in the sense that it’s not a progressive degeneration of your physical abilities where you are constantly adjusting to the increasing loss of independence. It’s abrupt. There’s a…
Health-Scare
A nurse mentions surgery as my consciousness quickly fades. Most of the next week or so is blurred by a morphine haze. I wake up in a neck brace, and realize I have absolutely no feeling below my armpits. The muscles in my neck are on fire with pain. I have a feeding tube in…
Two years
And so it is, I’ve officially made two laps around the sun without actually moving. Now, it’s understandable that people might assume that this particular day would be one of my worst. Not really the case, though. I’m not sure about anyone else in situations like mine, but the actual anniversary date doesn’t mean a whole…
The question
Honestly I could not tell you how many time it’s been asked. The same question, over and over. I completely understand people’s curiosity, I would wonder the same myself. The question? “If you were able to snow ski again, would you consider it?” Anyone that new me before the accident hears that question and laughs,…
Somewhere in between
I wake up in the morning having had another one of those dreams where I regain movement in my arms and legs. They are always so vivid, so clear. Every touch completely realistic, every smell so real you could almost taste them. It starts out slow, me faintly beginning to move. At first, I don’t…
Kenny Salvini 