When I was younger twice I dropped from 1 story roof.. or roughly 3-5 metres. First time I did a roll.. but boy did it feel like the limit of achieving a roll. Second time I fell more directly and pretty sure I got a hairline fracture on my heel and hurt the other foot. 15 Meters is brutal, 50% survival chance. My dad's in that club of people. Hit by a car close to 90km/h, 1% survival chance. He came away with Rods in his leg and a supervirus, no sense of smell, minor brain injury, A restructured face and years of depression, seizures and painkiller addiction. It's weird to think I wouldn't exist without that miracle.
Hello my name is brandon I know you don’t know me and I don’t even know if you will see this but in the slim chance that you do it is currently 1am for me and I just wanted to let you know you have given me my hope back I just watched your “how I got paralyzed” video for the very first time and you single handedly gave me my hope back I am 1 year and 4 months into my T12 sci injury and you truly made me realize I’m not alone in this injury I’m going through a very similar situation to you I had a 60 foot fall and before my fall I was very physically active and I’m also struggling with addiction and to make a long story short I’ve honestly got to the point of losing all hope of getting better again but hearing you talk about your story has gave me hope again so sincerely from the bottom of my heart thank you so much and please keep doing what your doing because I know there’s others out there who would find you as inspiring as I have today so again thank you I am now an instant fan
Brandon, I am just another viewer here but was so taken with your story. YES, please hang in there - day by day - and if that is too long -- minute by minute. You are brave and a strong person to survive a 60 ft. fall -- I cannot even imagine -- you have special gifts to continue to share with the world. Prayers for your recovery and stamina for your journey. . I was hit by a car when I was 8 yrs old, but I did not have a spinal injury and I remember how difficult it was to overcome my injury though it was not a permanent situation. I broke my femur, had a concussion and had multiple reconstruction surgeries, but that is nothing against what you and Wheels went through.
My accident was March 8th 2021. I'm still learning all the terms but I broke my neck and back. I'm paralyzed from the waist down. Just started PT, and I want to get as good as possible. Thanks for your videos. It helps while I'm in the hospital and accepting this. God bless
It will get easier. It took me about 4-years to untie the knot that was in my stomach - it was like a wrench 🔧 that had tightened everything inside of me emotionally - but like a physical ailment it took that amount of time to forgive myself - for all the pain i had caused my family to my husband and two boys because they suffered too - but i had to forgive myself mainly for what I had done to my own life at my own hands. I had fainted and in losing consciousness I broke my neck at C5/6 … incomplete so I retained bladder and bowel control I can do pretty much everything as before my accident except I can’t walk. My family is still intact but I still have to live with the guilt and that’s the worst part.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am not paralyzed, but have lived with constant pain since I was 19 (hydroplaning accident). I have been in several accidents,starting in childhood, so I battle scoliosis, which was borderline as a teen, but currently causes problems. Now, at 59, I have 7 vertebrae fused in my neck & a spinal cord stimulator, which helped me get off 20+ years of Fentanyl patches. Pain is debilitating. Thank you for keeping it real!
City planners across the nation don’t shave a huge concept of ADA consulting or construction , while ambulatory than I was and have horrible gait I have noticed all sorts of blunders and worrisome situations. Like large grated vents and shafts , side walk obstacles including divots cracks cross signals the best remedy to this is go to school university or equivalent work with the city and planning departments or volunteer with these departments .
I’m watching this in my wheelchair thinking how your painful story is inspirational and I don’t feel as alone as I did before. Thank you for ask of your videos. Thank you for sharing the raw tenderness.
I am newly disabled and learning about wheelchair life. Thank you for being so vulnerable in sharing! There is a lot to learn with living with a wheelchair. A wheelchair is a freedom.
I'm proud of you for speaking about this and giving the whole story. I'm not sorry for you. I believe that any one having a disability doesn't need pity. Compassion yes, but pity - no. So I am convinced that saying "I'm sorry" is the wrong thing to say. So I will say this - you have made the best of the situation life has dealt you and you just keep going and improving day by day - so you are my inspiration to work thru my own movement issues.
@@Hopeandpeaceinjesus I'm doing okay. Just dealing with lower back & neck issues due to herniated discs. But I hate when people say their sorry for me when I'm having a bad day and having to use a wheelchair or my walker. I don't want their pity - it doesn't really do a damned thing for me and its only said to make the speaker feel better. Yeah I'm in a mood, sorry for the rant. Disabled people - no matter the extent of their disability - needs anyone's pity as we've got more than enough of our own we're dealing with. My feelings on saying "I'm sorry" to a disabled person should only come from close friends & family (and only immediately after the injury). Strangers saying that to me I find offensive because I know I'm physically challenged but I do not want or need their pity. Its usually said because they have no idea how to speak to a disabled person.
@@cydnicaldwell1337 Most people don't even really know how to talk to other people in general because it seems that half the country will always find something to be offended about while the other is to afraid to open their mouths out of fear of offending someone. If people were able to have a bit of thicker skin and actually listen to what other people are trying to say instead of trying to constantly find faults with their words. If people always feel like they have to watch what words they use around you then how do you expect them to be comfortable around you.
I'm almost totally there dude... getting my c-brace in 13 days is the only thing keeping me going. I went to a wedding the other night and for the first time chose my wheelchair over my walker. Totally surprised my wife
My dad was a paraplegic and since he was in his chair he would always be visible in photos of large groups and now that he has been gone for the last decade I really appreciate him sticking out a little bit more in family pictures 😅🥰
10 years in and I still hate this chair so damned much, but.. that said... I couldn't live without it, and I have an irrational fear of losing it for whatever reason (it breaking, or needing to replace it but not being able to afford it, etc... It's a part of me, but one that I can't stand... It's the strangest thing to be so afraid to lose something that has become a part of yourself. They're my legs when mine can't be. (Incomplete, but extremely limited mobility and extreme fall risk)...
Thank you for sharing. My husband was injured in the military and has been wheelchair bound for the last 15 years and has gone through the tunnel of darkness, every time he’s had a set back. Over the years, he has gotten better and knows he will never walk again. One thing that has helped with the pain, is a Spinal Cord Stimulator in-plant. This helps blocks the pain signals from the nerves to the brain. He takes Pain meds for the break through pain but the stimulater has been the best thing for pain management. He will be going for his upgrade in a couple of weeks. It might be something that you haven’t heard of before or have, I don’t know. This is the first video of yours, that I have watched. I will be watching more and i wish you the best of luck on your journey
I am amazed that the hole that you fell in, was not covered or protected in any way. I’m not familiar with these parking garages in Atlanta so maybe I am missing something. It really is amazing that you survived and I have much respect for your journey and your strength of will.
I was in a terrible accident, hit by a drunk driver. Amputee, spinal cord injuries, and a laundry list of trauma. I'm in chronic pain, non-ambulatory, like you, was active, professional skydiver. 10 years now and I'm so ready to just die. It seems that this bed is my future, pain is my future. How do you cope man? You seem so positive and alive. You and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Wish I could have what you do but I'm checking out soon. I'm so tired, exhausted...
Do not lose hope man, find joy in things that you are able to do. Find love in the people around you. I hope God improves your emotions, truly. May God bless you with happiness
There are fates worth than death and death can be kindness in some situations, don’t feel any guilt for feeling this way, it’s not your fault. In saying this I hope things to get better for you, whatever that means in your life. ❤
It's crazy how a single moment can change your life forever. I'm 34 now, and when I was 26 and in my last year of my doctorate, I stood up from my computer only to have my foot collapse under me. After a series of misdiagnoses and tons of doctors, they finally realized I had a very severe nerve entrapment which then led to me developing CRPS/RSD. The hardest thing is grieving what you wanted for your life and not being able to do what I used to. I'm struggling so much because I haven't dated since becoming disabled, and I've always known I wanted children. Thank you for sharing your story. 💕Brandi
Brandi, I've had RSD/CRPS since birth - 64 years. I didn't get diagnosed until I was unable to move anything except my hands and required high flow oxygen. I was actively dying. My Dr gave me 3 months or less to live. That was in 1995. Needless to say....his prognosis was wrong. Currently, I have one leg that is paralyzed, and I'm in pain 24/7. I don't even know what having a pain-free moment would be like. I could write for hours telling my story. I would be happy to answer your questions and help steer you towards help. In the meantime, I'll be praying for you.
Thanks, Richard. Thanks to you I got over my fear of wheelchairs. I watched your tutorials while I waited for my chair to arrive, and thanks to you it fit perfectly the first time and I got what I wanted. I've got some big decisions and major changes to make in my life right now and this video has given me the courage to move forward. You and a bunch of others on RUclips have shown me that there is life without walking. **Holds nose and leaps into unknown**
Idk how I just now saw this video of his 2 years after he posted it..used to watch his channel and kind of forgot about it and then this video was recommended to me today..so I guess that's why, lol just surprised I didn't see it in the past. Anyways, just wanted to see how you are doing now 2 years later! Hope all is going well for you!❤
I got shot in the back by a thug at martin luther king park over something that I had nothing to do with. Im L1 incomplete. Im going on 9 years. The first 5 years was extremely bad. Surgeries, depression, relationships ending but the last 3 years has been good to me.
Your story is inspiring. My mom (this happened almost3 years ago) went into the hospital (on a Wednesday) able to walk, talk, and was able to carry on a conversation. She was living in a nursing home at the time. When she went back Monday morning she could NONE of them. She is now completely paralyzed. She can move her arms but can't put any weight on her legs. She can talk now. I have never had anyone who could explain what happened.
Hi, was in the middle of writing a longish message to you and asking how did your mother's health is now? My mother had similar symptoms due to multiple mini-strokes from vascular dementia. Possibly the worst of all the dementia varieties. But this is not about my dear mum: I pray your mum is ok and you are well too 🙏🏻 Xx Lucia
Hey Richard, I just watched the whole vid and felt inclined to comment. I’m about your age, 30, turning 31 in a couple weeks. I also used to be top-notch fit, competing in building comps, as well as ocean rescue lifeguard tournaments. I don’t pretend to have the same level of struggle as you, I blew out my bottom two discs deadlifting like a total egomaniac about 7 years ago, but nonetheless I now struggle with the profess of spinal injury due to that, and struggle to walk, sit, etc, and any kind of gym routine or the like is a pipe dream I have nightmares over from missing it so much. I just want you to know I follow you because your pursuit of a good life is inspiring, thank you for taking us along with you.
Same here blew out L4-L5S1 in 1988 Deadlifting, that one extra rep did it. I went undiagnosed, I was young, rebounded , I thought all was good. It would flair up from time to time over the years but I continued to lift, run etc & 2015 it caught up with me. Collapsed at work, had to finally had to see a specialist. 3 surgeries later, I’m much better but I have to still use a wheelchair. All between the years, I had heaps mental health issues I had to reconcile with. (ironically, I’m a mental health caseworker) I finally accepted the hand I was dealt & turned the negative to a positive. Slow and steady wins the race mate! You’ll get there mate, you’re not alone....👍🏾🇦🇺
I lost 30% hearing loss in my left ear and tinnitus from my service in the military, I mourn the lost and fight to deal with it and tinnitus. You motivate me thank you 🙏🏼
The way you described what it's like when you realize you're actually paralyzed was PERFECT. When it happens you just know & it's the hardest physical thing to try & explain to anyone that's never experienced it....well done. Wishing you so much success & pain free movement going forward ❤️
After listening to your story, I was able to pinpoint that I’ve been struggling through getting past the denial phase and into setting realistic goals that I can allow myself to work towards. I will be thinking of this video when I start physical therapy this week, THANK YOU
@@Danuxsy it’s so cool that you responded to my comment from 2 years ago! I had forgotten I had written that, and your comment made me go back to that time and reflect now that 2 years have passed. I think I’ve come a long way, mentally. I have managed to set goals I can actually achieve, and not feel embarrassed by them. But the reality is that the feeling of wishing things were different doesn’t go away, but at least now those thoughts do not get in the way of moving forward with my life like it used to. I think that’s progress. I think that’s what it might mean to move past the denial phase…
Thank you for the “brief” of your journey. I too am in the same place. I do have the C-Brace. I’m 100% permanent-total disabled veteran... so the VA purchased mine. And like you, it would take a book to go through the history of my journey to now. I do have other factors that make my circumstances unique, but we do overlap here. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to make this a possible option for you. Like I stated in my previous comment on another video of yours, I’m going to follow closely as your experiences could assist me, and maybe someday I can assist you as well. Who knows.Again, thank you for taking the time, and for putting forth the energy and for being vulnerable to this reality. It’s helped me already to know there are others like me in these situation. Best wishes... and keep thriving as best as you can, keep going. You’re getting there.
WOW, just wow! I'm soon to celebrate my 21 years "I'm alive day". I'm 67 years old. I'm T12, L1, L2 &L3 incomplete! I'm so glad I stumbled on your channel. I've experienced so many of the same issues. I can also walk with a walker or crutches. BUT yap, IT SUCKS! Today while in my closet in my wheelchair I told myself I really need to unload all the crap that has buried my walker and start using it again. Use it or lose it! I'm very near losing the whole walking experience. Thank you for giving me some encouragement to dig that ugly walker out again. Looking forward to following in future videos!
I postponed watching this because I’m in a bad place with my injury and recovery. It feels unending. Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I needed that. Keep it going.
Today is may 30th , 2024,, I hope your now in a good place , im at the bottom of life ,, and I need positive vibes of people getting in a good place !;
The roller coaster of emotions felt while listening to you was real and awesome. You’re a badass and beast and a life coach reaching and touching lives bro.
I'm amazed at the fact that you didn't shatter your heels from that hight (or maybe you didn't mention it?). Like you I fell, I fell from a significant hight (30 feet or 2 stories) and landed on both my feet and my bum. When I landed on both feet (right foot first which is why most of my severe injuries are on the right side of my body) I completely shattered both my heels (it's called a comminuted fracture which is the worst kind) and they were so badly fractured that they were almost beyond repair, but they were able to fuse both my heels to my talus bone somehow. I still till this day don't know if had they been able to screw the fractured bone pieces together, if I would be able to walk normally again like I used to, but this fusion does seem to have given me all the problems I have today. I've followed a lot of people who have fallen bigger heights than me, fractured both heels and are up walking as they used to...So I feel quite out of place in these ''fractured heel communities'' but never the less a fractured heel is one of the most serious bone injuries as it can leave you pretty disabled as it has for me. Because I fractured them so badly, I can only walk shorter distances and even with these shorter distances, it can get uncomfortable as I am essentially walking on two previously very shattered heels. From the fall, like you, I burst fractured my L4 and L5 but my spinal cord was unaffected - they had to do surgery from the front and back and inserted a CAGE - not sure if you had the same procedure? But I am left with some chronic back pain and I can't just sit for long periods because my back is very stiff. The rest of my injuries were healed conservatively, such as fracturing 3 ribs, my inferior pubis ramus and ilium on my the right side of my hip, and my sternum, and 2 collapsed lungs, pneumopericardium 11 mm (air in the sac of ones heart). I do have an L5 nerve damage (right side) which has made my hamstring on my right leg weaker, a slight drop foot on right side and some loss of sensation on a part of my calf and right foot (dorsal part next to my toes) and very seldomly some nerve pain on my right foot. Because the doctors thought I might have ruptured my esophagus,I was essentially not allowed to eat or drink for a week - man that was awful, the thirst was the worst part even if they were giving me fluids. But there is one thing I will never forget that my surgeon told me. He told me that because my injuries were so bad, they only gave me a 50 percent chance of healing process compared to how ''well I healed'' and then he told me that it was all me and my mindset and that is the reason I've come this far. I do believe that a strong mindset will go a long way
I don't deal with paralysis or even KNOW someone dealing with anything like this. But in some magical way your channel found its way into my feed and I'm so glad it did. You have a lot of value to bring to the value - not just to the wheelchair or paralysis community but everyone.
value to bring to the table... and no I don't think so. He literally thought that falling 50 feet (15 METERS) will just "sting a little bit" LMAO, he ended up exactly where he should be, in a wheelchair.
26 days after this video was created, I was the passenger in a vehicle that went off-road, airborne, rolled four times upon landing and the airbags didn't deploy. This resulted in 2 vertebral compound fractures, 1 burst fracture, T10 - L3 spinal fusion and non life threatening internal injuries from the lap belt. My legs were only paralyzed for the first 3 days after the accident and I've since progressed to a cane which, as you stated, is very slow and a bit unsteady. When given an EMG in June, the S1 tibial nerves in my feet had 0 response, hence the balance issues. I also lost feeling in the pelvic region immediately so, now that my internal issues have been addressed, my neurologist has begun a series of steroid epidurals in an attempt to pinpoint & reawaken those nerves. So far there has been little success. I was nodding, smiling and tearful at so many points while listening to this because I too was extremely active. In fact, for the last several years, I've worked side by side with a younger (I'm 49), all male, construction crew that does odd-jobs in our area. For anything from building 20x60 foot greenhouses, digging 400 yard trenches for new sewer line or demolishing/rebuilding chimneys...we were the people to call. My overall health, strength, abilities, physique, etc., have long been a source of pride and achievement for me....so the past 8 1/2 months have been physically challenging but mentally crippling. At the worst of my "downs" I've isolated, had heart wrenching emotional breakdowns and even suicidal thoughts at one point. Even though I have a great support system, I feel very alone and it recently dawned on me that I don't have to, I just have to reach out to people that have been here. Thank you for creating this video, I'm very glad that I found it.
Thank you for sharing your story, I hope that you are mentally in a better place right now. People like you give me hope, although I am not paralyzed but daily in extreme pain because I have hip dysplasia and need a back op and hip replacement. I have a lot to be thankful for. Reading stories like yours it reminds me to be thankful. I can relate to you in the sense of sometimes feeling alone because you just feel the people around you just basically don't understand what you are going through. I hope that life treats you kind in the future 😊
I can barely pull myself together to type this. Your story breaks my heart. People are so horrible sometimes, as if it isn’t devastating enough going through life-changing physical difficulties, but sometimes I think people that are out there judging us make things the toughest on us. I’m incredibly lucky in most areas since my accident….compression fractures of t6,t7, and t8. The only lasting effects are limited movement, nerve damage that’s very inconsistent and chronic pain. I consider myself SO lucky that it wasn’t worse. But, the ridiculous amount of judgement and lack of understanding is sometimes the most debilitating yet. I stopped taking all medication and let my body heal on its own. I had to let go of my 33 year career and try to find a new way in life. My family has been the biggest challenge/hurdle so far. I’m working on not caring what they think. I never thought it would be this difficult! You sound like you have definitely had many challenges and are overcoming each one with grace. I wish you the most happiness and success in your life. Thank you for sharing your story ❤
Michelle Sweet. Just read your message. So sorry for what you’ve been through. Since your journey is on going I also send prayers and love. (Retired ED Nurse) 🙏🏻❤️
I really needed to hear this. I was the right person and this was the right story. I've replayed this multiple times today and am so thankful for people like you that step up through their enormous battles simply for the benefit of people who need help but don't have anyone. I don't want to quit, but sometimes like you said it's just so damn hard.
I almost had this exact same thing happen to me as a kid but on a bicycle, my bike was over the open hole but luckily I managed to plant 1 foot on the road just on the edge of the hole and swing my entire bike around and land in the middle of the road on my side. Was crazy, literally 1 inch away from ending up like this dude. So it must happen quite often.
yes I started studying law and I have just recently learned about that. Seems kinda fishy, I'm not saying he is lying, but it could be. Not hating it would be understandable to not be at peace with the real story
I have a heart condition that means if i walk any further than the size of your average convenience store, i will pass out. It means that for many outings, i am in a wheelchair to prevent any falls or injuries. I feel a gratitude for it now, watching this.
I enjoy your videos. I’m not paralyzed but I am headed towards a wheelchair. I have IPF and I’m on the list for a lung transplant, I am on oxygen and have a portable machine that I use to walk around but even with the auction machine it is so hard and I could only get so far and I have to sit down. I recently went away with my wife and rented a scooter and just like you said in your video it made my life so much easier to get places and not be struggling. To breathe. I have a trip booked for Hawaii in 2021 for our 25th wedding anniversary I was planning on canceling it then I saw your video about getting around to an airport with a wheelchair. So I did not cancel it and I plan on going on that trip. And I’m just looking for things to do that or wheelchair friendly. Thank you for showing me that it can be done. I know once I get a new set of lungs I will be able to walk, so I know our cases are so different but you have been helpful to me and I do appreciate it. I hope you can find a way to get the C brace!
It's interesting to hear all this, and to see that almost everybody who left a like also commented. I have mad respect for you, man, and I have absolutely nothing to do with wheelchairs or spinal cord injuries, I found your channel through an "ask me anything" video and have been watching everything since. Great stuff. You're one of the few channels out there who doesn't succumb to dumb, flashy challenges and fitness trends (maybe because you can't try every challenge, idk), but it's very down to earth and refreshing. Thanks to Andrew as well.
About to loose my leg. Can see how much even the memory of your trauma causes you even now. It's facing the end of life as you knew it. Its bloody horrible to process .
Your story is very inspiring. I recently became a paraplegic as a result of a bad motorcycle accident that happened May 11th 2023. I broke my t4 and t5, paralyzed from the chest down. It sucks really bad, but I’m learning, I’m trying everyday to be better than the day before. Things are just so hard now, but I’m still trying. Thank you for your videos, they’ve been a great help. Keep pushing forward brother🤟🖤♿️
You’ve come far my dude. Now you’re setting wheelie noobs like me, up for wheellife success. Thanks for replying to my insta post- was in a really low place with mental health (one of my cats was sick and passed aged 3 a few weeks back) it really gave me a boost to get those comments from you. Thanks for everything you’ve shown and inspired in myself and so many others- you are the reason I didn’t get that anger and shame etc... I’ve had nothing but positives in my 1yr of chair life thanks to you and your channel... I’ve always felt super confident and proud of my wheelie girl status, I’d not change it for the world, life is finally better than it ever was before
I would actually be interested in a “crash test” with a dummy, showing how your body would react in all sorts of landings from different heights. Like what exactly would happen if your hands hit first like when people fall forward, what would happen if you landed flat on your back, type of thing. It would be interesting to see which bones and structures are damaged and where the force travels to. So glad that you lived to tell this story, love the few minutes here and there that I get to watch your videos. You’ve taught me a lot. Thank you.
You're a living miracle! And such an amazing inspiration - THANK YOU for being there and sharing everything! I'm actually here because I'm temporarily a wheelchair user and badly miss my independence and somewhere on the internet they recommend your scooter conversion attachment for a wheelchair, to be able to use it myself. I didn't bank on your wonderful encouraging story and finding that inspiration I've been needing since April 2023. Better late than never! I am 63yo and miss my salsa dancing, my running, my hiking on the mountains and walking... And just having a wheelchair for the last month, has made me regain that hunger for life and the enjoyment of being outdoors... Thank you from my heart. And you're welcome anytime here in the UK, as you have here another mum ❤ Xx Lucia 🤗 PS Wheels4Hope 🌟
When we have these injuries we tend to think that people know how we feel but when I hear you and your struggle it reminds me of what I’m going through and just how naive people are? Thanks for the comfortable feeling you only get from being able to connect to someone and their personal journey.
Thank you for sharing your precious wonderful self. I’m going on 7 years now and i am still dealing with large issues such as pain and bowel issues. I am still a work in progress. I wish you all the best and great success. Peace!!
Thank you for sharing your story with the world and giving me a better perspective on conquering the mental roadblocks of disability. Your vulnerability and resilience is badass. I hope I can gain your positivity and attitude soon.
I enjoyed hearing your story. I have my own, beginning when my spinal surgeon effed up multiple times on my “routine” fusion surgery, leaving me paralyzed below the waist (incomplete). He then kept me drugged so deeply that I remember almost nothing of the two weeks before my transfer to the rehab hospital. I didn’t eat or poop the entire time. The surgeon lied to me and my family, saying that every thing went great (my three hour surgery took TWELVE). Thirty years later, here I am, watching you. Life goes on.
@@blakearius He lost his entire practice, but was at least 65 already. Found out through depositions that he owed 11 million already to other patients who mistakenly trusted him! His hospital privileges had expired before he did my surgery, too! He only paid 450K to me, with 150K going to my lawyer. The lawyer screwed me over, though. He instructed his underling to stop working in my case because he thought it wasn’t going to pay off. A woman called me with a fantastical story one night. She said her husband was dying from problems incurred during his surgery, and she had a lawsuit against the surgeon, too. She had received paperwork with a list of people involved who apparently were claimed to not be interested in settlements because they (we, I) were unresponsive to legal papers. My lawyer stopped bring responsive! So I did what I had to do the next day, and soon received the $450K, and THEN you can bet my lawyer had his hand out fast! Lots of malpractice goes unnoticed, is lied about, or is just too hard to prove in court. A doctor has to do more than make a little mistake- it has to be something no competent doctor would do. Most malpractice cases don’t pay the injured party. But 450K (in 2002) was not a lot for a lifetime of pain, mobility issues, and the loss of my business (custom aquarium installations, service). In the U.S. in 2001 it was not possible to get medical insurance if one had “pre-existing conditions”, and I had a lot! I paid cash for my many necessary medical appointments, tests, treatments, and therapies. It went fast! I would have been so much better off if I had a good surgery! (My little daughters lost their mother in a sense, too.)
@@TallDiana Wow, I've never actually had such an in depth response from a youtube reply. You and my dad would have alot to talk about. He was hit by a car at 90km by drunk driver and survived. Got a $550 thousand au payout(mid 80's). Sadly he lost all of it due to bad investments, gambling and not holding on to the house. 15 years ago he sued railcorp for punching him to the ground.. his own lawyers absolutely screwed him(they would have settled and left him with nothing) and he ended up having to defend himself and only got 20k, he would have sued the lawyers if he wasn't completely over it. Then a couple years ago he was knocked off his scooter by a crappy driver and broke his back.. again incompetent lawyers almost tanked it but he came away with 200k, much of which went to former business partner that had invested in him at the time. I guess one caveat is that the medical system in Australia is pretty good so most medical costs are covered.. But he still has to deal with no smell, addiction, bipolar and a superbug in his leg that flairs up. Life can be such a rollercoaster of unfairness.. my life is a mess but it's video's and stories like yours that put things into perspective and help me try to appreciate things more.
@@blakearius Life can be a struggle. I figure it’s all downhill from here. It’s hard for many of us. My brother in law had his third knee replacement, replacing his second one that was put in wrong and hurt and swelled every single day for ten years. He was doing physical therapy and they had him doing some ridiculous move that he said was a bad idea. He was talked into trying to do it anyway, and he ruptured a disk in his back. While he waited for surgery on his back, he couldn’t walk right, and he fell several times, demolishing several fingers and requiring hand surgery. Today, he had spine surgery and was told rehab will take time since nerves were damaged. It’s. All. Downhill….. wheeeeeeeeeee 😁
@@TallDiana My oldest uncle was pulled off a small cliff by his dog last month.. so yeh for him it was literally downhill. I think he has to walk with some kind of pully system as his foot no longer works. My mum just had double knee replacement though and its gone incredible well. Everything else might hurt but gotta take the wins where you can.😅
Thank you is such a small phrase to fully express my gratitude for this video. 💙 I have multiple sclerosis. I am trying to regain my ability to walk, and function more normally and independently. I always go to your videos when I am feeling down and need motivation to keep trying.
I became paralyzed from the waist down 30 days ago. I wanted to say Thanks for sharing. It inspires me to not become angry and addicted even though that seems impossible to accomplish.
I really enjoyed this listen... I did learn a lot about you , where you came from and how you arrived here where you are today. I have arachnoiditis, and a fear of losing my mobility. The spinal cord itself is rubbing against the bone. I have watched you for a while now and really for the fear of becoming wheel chair bound and how am I going to cope with it. Watching this is a reminder that you really do have to "ignore it and it will go away" *my way of coping with the nerve pain * Ignore the fact that I may lose my independence, and keep positive for what you can do. I am a volunteer firefighter, 60 year old woman, and I am not ready to give it up. I am in care of a pain management Dr. and totally refuse to take any kind of opioid, Mainly just for the reason you described. Love ya dude!
You are such a survivor…. I had a brain tumor that was supposed to shrink with radiation but hey 6 years later I was down in Philly having brain surgery… so many now new normals that I have to deal with… including left sided deafness….. I understand your struggle…. If u ever want a chat hit me up… A friend in PA
Hey thanls for sharing, its been 8 years for me on october 5th. I was in a motorcycle accident and landed head first in the side of a mountain. I had a compression fracture at my t5, the Dr said it looked like a hand grenade. They removed my T4,5,6 and replaced them with cadaver vertebrae. I ended up with 6 spinal fracture t3,4,7 t4,5,6, 11 ribs left shoulder blade and right wrist. Like you i knew it the second it happened, i never got knocked out. I landed face down looking at my hands threw the face shield of my helmet. I told them to move and my fingers moved, i knew then i would be ok and could get threw it. To those wondering no inwasnt speeding or doing anything stupid. I was going between 30 and 40mph. My right foot peg caught the pavement on a 90 deg eight turn and it flipped the bike over, (highsided) it was like a catapult and i was the rock.
Man that's a lot of damage! It sucks that you feel you had to state you weren't doing anything wrong at the time (speeding) as though some people automatically assume you "did it to yourself" or "got what you deserved" It never even occurred to me you were speeding or doing anything unsafe. I actually assumed a car had hit you as that is a way more common cause of motorcycle involved accidents. I don't drive motorcycles as I think they are dangerous personally - as in for me to ride - but I in know way think that those who ride bikes and get hurt caused it themselves! I really hope you don't have to put up with that assumptive crap to often, or preferably AT ALL! Ignore the haters! Lots of love.
That's one hell of a story Richard, but i'm glad you're still here tot tell it yourself. Im turning 18 in December and have a lot of adult stuff to figure out, i'm so grateful I have my amazing mom who supports me through thick and thin. My parents are divorcing and with me having a physical disability, it takes a lot more out of me than I thought it would. But this hard time that im going through is temporary and I know that. This too shal pass. I hope you can find a way to have the C-Brace approved, from what i see it would be very benefitial for you. love from The Netherlands💙
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m sure it’s helping a lot of people. In 2018 I fell about 15 feet flat on my face onto a concrete basketball court. Coma for 2 days, no memory for two whole weeks after it happened. But miraculously I did not have physical or brain injuries to an extreme degree considering how bad it easily could have gone. I have had a of number of seizures since and my shoulder had to get redone with surgery/PT, but I’m not really affected by it anymore on a daily basis. But hearing your story gave me perspective on life that I value very much and helps me not take for granted my good fortune in terms of how things could have gone from the fall I had. I also appreciate you speaking candidly about your struggles with addiction. I’m 2.5 years sober myself and I think it’s extremely positive for the world for people to speak honestly about substance abuse because so many people struggle with it and don’t address it.
You should make business cards inside pamphlets for the Hospitals, Rehabs and Nursing Homes to hand out to new Wheelchair users. It would contain the following: Your Name Website Address Video Address Short Story of how it came to be. I believe this would be beneficial to the community, both the Wheelchair user and their families.
Richard, man I love your attitude and you’re so freakin funny!!! 😅😂😂. It’s been so uplifting to get to know you and yet so sad to hear all or part of what you’ve been through. Your tenacity is contagious and your sense of adapting to whatever comes along resonates with me. I almost bedridden from childhood abuse of me taking hits to my back as part of my “discipline” and am becoming more and more paralyzed as I grow older. Most every vertebrae has been fractured, broken, discs are herniated, bulging, and I’ve had both lungs collapsed. Parents were drug dealers and when I didn’t behave, I got herion, crack, LSD, etc. so I’d be quiet and then they could abuse me. So I couldn’t fight back. I was in rehab at 12, cold turkey. No drugs or any help from staff. Tied to a bed to “fight it out”. Parents told them I had been using for years and they didn’t know it until I started doing “stupid things.” (Social Services was onto them so they had to do something), and had taken me and put me in the foster home so I could change my “stinky attitude” of never listening to my parents. Long story very short. I’m also a fighter like you and will NEVER give up. I’m not wired that way. I have walkers and a wheelchair but can walk on my own pretty good still, but have really felt and seen my drastic decline in the last year with falling and a lot of instability. I’ll be fine. Like you said, just wait, things always change. I believe! I just found you and will check out your podcast and channel. I think this video was made for me because I need your strength and to laugh or cry with you as you fight for your life for your body not to take you down with it. Congrats on all your big steps Brother! I’m so very proud of you!!! 🎂 Peace and big love from Canada 🇨🇦 ❤✨🪔🦼🧘🏻♀️🌞🌹
Bloody hell, that was one unbelievable story!!!! I was on edge the whole time. I’m still in shock. Will definitely listen to your podcasts. You are a straight up honest storyteller. Your advice…..just wait…be patient & just wait. 👍👍
In 2009 I was in a bad accident. We hit black ice and got T boned. I broke my L-2 fractured my L-5. Now I’m fused from my T-11 thur S-1. Now I have 14 screws and 2 rods in my back. The 2 lady’s in the other car passed away. So sorry for their families. It was just a freak accident. Keep going strong buddy. Your doing great.
I am glad you are OK. My dad fell about 40 to 45 feet of a cliff into shallow water in St Kitts US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean and survived thanks to him falling into a big enough wave to break his fall. He destroyed his right ankle. He was alone and had to first climb up the side of the cliff and then once at the top of the cliff he just fell from he had to drag himself over a mile to a hotel. Once at the hotel he was taken to the local hospital where they helicopted him to Florida where his mom was a nurse. Everybody wanted to amputate his right ankle. Except for my grandmother who would not let them. The surgeons and nurses saved my dad's ankle and life. My dad was in his twenties when this happened. He now is 80 years old. At the time my dad was a pro runner and had been a pro runner for the air force all around the world. After he recovered, he was no longer able to run like he used to. But he still has both his ankles and his life. He only had to have only one other surgery years later on his right ankle in the British Virgin Islands where my mom, younger brother, my dad, and myself were living at the time. My dad is a true survivor and so are you. Thank you for sharing your story. God bless and have a great night. Sascha Shamkin
A little over 2 months ago I was T boned on my passenger side, causing our truck to flip. I was 16 at the time. I had 7 different fractures in my back starting at C1 but my spinal cord was completely crushed at the T11 and T12. I had an aortic dissection which I had emergency surgery on. I had a broken rib that collapsed my lung and a few smaller injuries. My surgeon said it was one of the worst back breaks he’s seen in 30 years and I was out of the hospital and inpatient rehab in a month’s time. I’m about to start outpatient PT soon!
You talk about spreading all your knowledge and stuff and that’s cool, like your chair on how to do wheelies and stuff was massively helpful to me. But i think the bigger thing for me is the stories. I was starting to go down a dark path with drugs, but you got me on a better path. learning from each other’s mistakes is so much better than having to make our own and learn from those.
I understand from the caregiver side of things. My husband and I were in a semi vs motorcycle accident he is a incomplete quad. Lucky me just broke my leg so I'm able to care for him at home.
I watch this all the way through. I want to work towards living alone. I’m 15 years old and it’s only a matter of time before I get to that age where I can move out on my own and I want to but it’s hard because I have cerebral palsy.
I have cerebral palsy-spastic ataxic diplegia, and a spinal cord injury, and lots of problems with my feet-which need surgery, torn ligaments. I live alone. I am currently waiting on a wheelchair because my ankles are too unstable, my knees, my hips, my back, postural orthostatic tachycardia that can make me faint, and epilepsy. I also injured my tailbone on a boulder in a river, wanting to swing from one like in the movies, but a boulder was hidden under the water. I also my broke my back and right heel in a suicide attempt in my late twenties. I knew I was disabled before those attempts, but no one was taking my chronic pain seriously before my attempts, my CP was misdiagnosed as another motor disorder, I’m autistic which I didn’t get diagnosed until right before that. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to care for myself, and didn’t have a support system outside of my mother. But I survived. My support system isn’t perfect but is better than I thought. I’ve learned how to adapt. I’ve learned self acceptance isn’t a one time thing, but a process. I’m also autistic. I live alone. I’m a visual artist and poet. It’s hard as far as government housing and income limits, not being able to drive etc. Healthcare is frustrating. My mother is 79, and has heart failure and cancer. But it’s not impossible. But I also have friends. I am a published poet. I do disability advocacy. It is possible to live alone. Never stop advocating for yourself. Respect your body. I never related to my body even from early childhood. I was a mind over matter person. But my body is important. It’s the only one I have. It does a lot for me even if different from other bodies. I pushed my body a lot because I felt I didn’t have any other choice. I didn’t use mobility aids until I got certain diagnoses because of stigma, including from doctor’s. If you need mobility aids, rest; no one knows your body better than you. I’ll be 40 in May; don’t let anyone’s attitudes get you down, even some in the medical field. Keep exploring your interests. Your life is worth it.
I have EDS and tons of it's complications. I did enjoy this story because I have a similar one with my whole life changing and not remembering and being in the ICU and then getting to the rehab hospital where they saved my life. I was only 20. I was a professional ballet dancer and teacher and it was all taken. Now to just keep going I have to do PT for Everything, I swear... I'm grateful you shared your story. At my rehabilitation hospital, I made a few friends who survived falls (one of which was of a five story parking deck, another fell through glass of a skylight, crazy stories everywhere...) But I didn't fall that much I was a fall risk cause of pain meds but they helped me get mostly off of those as well. Also developed cachexia(starvation) due to the pain meds suppressing my appetite and making me sleep ALL THE TIME. Anyway, my wonderful PT there literally picked me up and carried me to the PT room once. Eventually, one month of moping and two months of solid hard work that I never want to have to go through again, and I was on the outside, and going to Disney world (literally-for a wish trip) three days after leaving the rehab hospital. I remember when other people who got there after me went how before me and I hated myself for it but I was told everyone heals at different rates and there are treatments for some stuff and not others... it made my heart drop every time someone else got to go home. I don't remember much and we had to rest a lot but at least I got to see it and was cleared for rides! It was the only thing I was looking forward to after getting out. Today, I am seeing that very same doctor who gave me forty-eight hours to live. She's been my main doctor I see every month, and I even used to go to church with her, so we have a great relationship and she is understanding about me not wanting more and more meds. She's been really encouraging. I believe everything happens for a reason I'm like you Richard, one thing happens... I recover a bit, and then another terrible thing is next- right when I'm getting used to my new normal.
Thank you for sharing your story. I recently have had the misfortune of becoming a part time wheelchair user and following your story has helped me immensely. Thank you again.
Hi. I'm a 63yrs old above knee amputee (just over a year ago....due to bone infection). I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 15yrs old so can't use a prosthetic leg. I went through depression because I had too much time to think. Found an online course on dog behavior & am now working towards doing volunteer service dog training. Having my brain occupied with more than just work has had a massively positive effect on my life 🙂And its so great doing a course for the only reason that I'm just interested in it (ie not work related)!
Im L5-S1 parapligic from a car accident. While in the hospital my then abusive husband was cheating on me with my best friend, so this accident saved my life. I was in a wheelchair for 6 years then worked hard to get out of it now I can walk but its not pretty sometimes. Im 16 years out and im really fighting myself about going back into wheelchair the fear of not being able to get back out of it, afraid it will become easier than walking and that anger is real but then you joke about things to make others comfortable. Its a big place inside your head and you get tired of justifying your disability (back injuries are a hidden disability) I was a surgical tech, drag racer and ran 5 miles a day to now I can't run, jump, skip, tiptoe or pee on my on but im still here. Thanks for all you do. It really helps my brain.
Wow. I’ll definitely be subscribing to the podcast. So glad to have been introduced to your channel some time back. Thank you for sharing part of your story🤟
I hope I can watch this whole video to learn about your story. I love seeing fellow wheelchair users or “wheelie bois” tell their story. I’m a happy your still alive to this day I’m glad your injury was not as severe and your still here to this day and I’m glad your doing amazing to this day and being able to be normal and live normal. I finally got my wheelchair on Monday and have been using it all this week. Can’t wait to learn your whole story. Thanks for everything you have taught me on your channel I don’t know what I would have done without your wheelchair basics and all your videos which I enjoy watching
I Broke my back in a dirt bike accident and am a complete paraplegic.What got me through is support from my family.The way i see it is you cant change the past so why dwell on it? Make the most of what you've got.Lifes a bitch but you gota carry on.Thanks for all your videos.
This is crazy. Thank u for sharing. I’ve had many surgeries on my legs also. Was born with a defect in my knees and leg bone. Thank u Richard ! You rock
A while back on their way to visit me, my parents passed a multi-car pileup (something like a semi, a pickup, and another car, and no shoulder on the 2-lane highway) caused by hydroplaning - one learns very quickly to never use cruise when the road is wet (especially as wet as the night you described), and to slow down if something feels off; my dad took off the cruise and they were fine, but something like 13 emergency vehicles (highway patrol, fire, EMS, possibly sheriff as well) passed them on that last stretch of the drive between the pileup and my house, coming from the town my parents were driving to. Very glad your car didn't hydroplane as well in those treacherous conditions you described. I found your channel via your "Flying in a wheelchair" video, and I have learned a ton from your videos, particularly the wheelchair skills ones - last week I mastered going down curbs facing forwards, and just yesterday I finally mastered hopping up regular curbs with ease: where I live, the sidewalks are pretty horrible - they stop and start randomly, some overgrown lawns reduce sidewalk width by as much as a foot, and most intersections (except on the main street) don't have any curb cuts - so now that I can go up and down curbs easily, I'm no longer confined to the street in places where there's no curb cut to get back up onto the sidewalk (I wheel in the street when I need to - like if the sidewalk ends - but I prefer to not if I have a choice). My goal was to master hopping up them by Thanksgiving. The goal I'm currently working on is going downhill in a wheelie, which isn't overly difficult (I can currently hold it for about 20-30 ft at a time, though I haven't figured out how to go into it while moving - probably has to do with my chair's setup, since I only got it a month ago and some things still need adjusting), but I worry a bit that my SmartDrive will fall of its bracket because of the angle the chair has to be in. My next goal is to learn to land while staying in a wheelie, because I want to eventually learn to go down a small amount of steps (2-3) facing forwards (I have the perfect set of stairs to practice on - 2, wide, shallow - that sticks off my front porch opposite of the ramp, but I will likely need a spotter for that, so it will probably take a bit longer; I'd love to try going down a longer flight backwards, but there aren't any good ones near me to do it on). I've gotten a few of the annoying remarks, but they never come from people I know (the people who know me are usually either concerned about me because they've never seen me in it before (I'm a part time user and always have been) or they compliment me on it), and I was prepared to deal with them because of watching videos like yours (the "nice to see you out" one really gets me). Today, someone I happened to pass twice while I was out told me that I seemed to always be so happy - I told her, "well, yeah, going from being able to only go one block to being able to go as far I want is really nice" (I've always tended to be a cheerful person, and also getting out today, one of the very last sunny 60-something degree days of the year, was really invigorating).
Thank you Richard for sharing your story. I enjoy your videos and I'm almost 3 years in as a T12 incomplete. Your videos along with the Rollettes and Chelsie Hill have given me so much encouragement. Without y'all I wouldn't really have anyone to look to about spinal cord injuries.
This video really helped me, thanks. I want to work on making my nutrition business a success and really help people find the diet that will help them like mine helped stop my migraines. It's not wheelchair related, but who knows, maybe changing my nutrition actually might help my ability to walk again without pain one day. The journey is long but keeping my focus on helping other people (in a way that might also help me too) is keeping me taking one step forward at a time.
Thankyou for sharing your story, Good to be able to share with the younger people that cross my path. Your a more appropriate role model that a 62 year old grandma.
I'm an ATLien and I remember hearing about this many moons ago. It is crazy to put a face to an incident because it makes the story so much more personal... I'm so glad you have made the most of your experience. Cheers!
Loved watching this video, my son, who is 11, sat through almost the whole video watching it with me. He literally had Jaw Dropping moments. Thank you for this.
@@jasonnelson5745 Even with caution tape it can come up extremely quick if you are running or riding a bike. Too quick to react, it should be physically blocked.
It almost happened to me in Manilla The Philippines; walking along with my Auntie and my G/Friend on the pavement suddenly I faced a big sewage hole without yellow or a cover; Luckily my training in Judo and Tae Kwan Do help me stop immediately or I would have disappeared at the other end...Lesson learned: Always on the lookout when outdoors ..
Thank you for this. I really didn't think I would listen to this straight through, but I did. Very honest, sincere and riveting story. This is a very cautionary tale that people need to hear. I am sure you helped a lot of people with insights and being more careful out there. I wish you the best.
This makes me realize just how fake all those super hero landings are in movies. Jeez man. If a runner like me had fallen in that hole I'd be dead for sure. You are amazing!
Just started watching your channel. Love your videos. I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. I can walk around well 10 minutes at a time on flat ground, can't do any kind of incline, or any kind of walking in the heat. I have heart issues, autonomic nervous system issues, and nerve damage. And it really resonated with me how much you wanted nothing to do with the wheelchair in the beginning. I was in the military on deployment when I had to have heart surgery and all my other issues started. I was running marathons and working out all the time. After my surgery (didn't go well) I developed more issues and limitations. And I refused a wheelchair for the longest time. I would walk for a few minutes, sit on a chair, bench, ground, etc. and try again. Basically went nowhere and did nothing. I pretty much confined myself to sitting around and walking the bit I could around my house and refused to go anywhere because I was dead set eventually I would get better and go back to life as it was. I finally caved after I was trying to walk to an appointment on base, about 6 minutes away in 85° heat and it was just too much and I passed out and smacked my head against a curb. Got a nasty concussion and a resulting TBI and bruised up my whole left side of my face pretty bad. That was my breaking point. Just kind of the realization that things weren't getting better and weren't going to get better. Being an ambulatory user is strange. I get weird looks and rude comments when I'm getting into or out of my chair (because I can stand and walk). Lots of people who are like "well you look fine and you're legs work" or if they see my out of the chair briefly "are you better now?" But giving up on being able to do the things I used to love was definitely the hardest thing for me personally. It's been 8 years and I love my chair now. Lots of love, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing also sorry for laughing at the srory at around 8:00 about a group of students coming in, and using you as a case study...it was simply the image in my head of an group of students gogging at you,
hi...5years ago I had to start using a wheelchair... MS and spasticity/// then a year ago compression fracture of my spine then then because of a really bad bus driver.then . about 2 weeks ago my scooter toppled over resulting in a hip contusion and a lot a lot of pain.. I cannot the you what an inspiration you are. I've lived in an apt community in manorville ny for the last 7 years and have searched far and wide thru doctors and physical therapists and the internet for wheelchair sports.. spinal chord injury support groups and on and on and no one has told me anything.. and I've found nothing on line.. and as far as custom chairs are concerned I was Told during a "seating evaluation" that they essentially don't exist. I am furious.. its as if people want to see you in a nursing home instead of living independently.. which to present I've been doing on my own and with my own ingenuity.. and no resources ..so you can imagine just how refreshing your video was.. seeing that people ike me are out there living good fulfilling ives..and . now onto your wheels2walking
I found one of your videos the night they sent me home from the hospital. I was sent home with a wheelchair and no idea how to use it. I started to day walking painfully and poorly but still, I could walk. By the end of the day I was trying to figure out how to get to my bed on the second floor. I found the video showing how go up the stairs by bracing your legs. After that I found another video and another... That first night you showed me that it was possible to live fully in a wheelchair. I had fought it for so long and knew it was coming sooner rather than later. I thought a wheelchair equaled failure, that I had given up and let these bloody diseases win. Since then I have reclaimed my life and I’m finally making progress. My chair has helped with my mobility, pain and exhaustion levels. Plus we had to sell our house in the city and found our dream bungalow in the county. We have 4.5 acres with an orchard and 1 acre field for gardens with raised beds, a greenhouse and additional fruit trees. I even have a chicken coupe. My husband and kids are making plans to put in paths and ramps to all the outbuildings. They are clearing the old trails on the property so I can drive the 4-wheeler in the woods. Thank you for making these videos. Thank you for sharing the honest, sometimes sad and mostly funny truth about life in and out of the wheelchair. You are my inspiration. 😉
Thanks from New Zealand. You have been very inspirational to me, made me realise how lucky I am. I Don’t have full spinal damage but walking is so difficult and painful I have already realised the wheelchair is my saviour. You just made me realise that is a good thing. thank you and I wish you all the very best.. Thank you
My Dad was painting a tall building he had a heart attack which stopped his heart. He fell to the ground like dead weight. The impact was so powerful it restarted the heart. Not one broken bone in his body. He damaged his heart but was alive. They did many tests as they didn't believe he hadn't broken anything. I know a paraplegic who got injured skydiving. His chute never opened. He is in the paraolympics. You all have extra angels watching over you for sure.
Omg you have no idea how inspirational you truly are. I could of never done what you did. I would be having a pity party Thank you. Giving help to others while you're paralyzed. You should be soooooooo Proud of yourself.
Really happy that you decided to make this video, man. Heard most cause i have been a subscriber for quite a while now, but to have it fully in one video. Thank you.
I stumbled upon your story, becsuse i follow Sydney Fowler. Im currently having issues with my L4 area, as my disc is pressing on the theca of the cord- and daily slowly getting worse. Right now i suffer bilateral and saddle numbness( i dont normally feel if i need to pee till i stand) and also pins and needles and itchiness down both sides. Waiting for orthopedic department to organise an appointment as im fully medically retired by doc.
When I was younger twice I dropped from 1 story roof.. or roughly 3-5 metres. First time I did a roll.. but boy did it feel like the limit of achieving a roll. Second time I fell more directly and pretty sure I got a hairline fracture on my heel and hurt the other foot. 15 Meters is brutal, 50% survival chance. My dad's in that club of people. Hit by a car close to 90km/h, 1% survival chance. He came away with Rods in his leg and a supervirus, no sense of smell, minor brain injury, A restructured face and years of depression, seizures and painkiller addiction. It's weird to think I wouldn't exist without that miracle.
Hello my name is brandon I know you don’t know me and I don’t even know if you will see this but in the slim chance that you do it is currently 1am for me and I just wanted to let you know you have given me my hope back I just watched your “how I got paralyzed” video for the very first time and you single handedly gave me my hope back I am 1 year and 4 months into my T12 sci injury and you truly made me realize I’m not alone in this injury I’m going through a very similar situation to you I had a 60 foot fall and before my fall I was very physically active and I’m also struggling with addiction and to make a long story short I’ve honestly got to the point of losing all hope of getting better again but hearing you talk about your story has gave me hope again so sincerely from the bottom of my heart thank you so much and please keep doing what your doing because I know there’s others out there who would find you as inspiring as I have today so again thank you I am now an instant fan
Brandon, I am just another viewer here but was so taken with your story. YES, please hang in there - day by day - and if that is too long -- minute by minute. You are brave and a strong person to survive a 60 ft. fall -- I cannot even imagine -- you have special gifts to continue to share with the world. Prayers for your recovery and stamina for your journey. . I was hit by a car when I was 8 yrs old, but I did not have a spinal injury and I remember how difficult it was to overcome my injury though it was not a permanent situation. I broke my femur, had a concussion and had multiple reconstruction surgeries, but that is nothing against what you and Wheels went through.
,,, - here are some commas for you, use em bro 😊 hope you are doing better.
I hope you are doing well and staying positive ❤️❤️❤️ and life feels hopeful …
@@Aeoniik😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂omg💀
My accident was March 8th 2021. I'm still learning all the terms but I broke my neck and back. I'm paralyzed from the waist down. Just started PT, and I want to get as good as possible. Thanks for your videos. It helps while I'm in the hospital and accepting this. God bless
What Happened To U Dane That Caused U To Be Paralyzed From The Waist Down This March 8TH,2021
You’re in my prayers
It will get easier. It took me about 4-years to untie the knot that was in my stomach - it was like a wrench 🔧 that had tightened everything inside of me emotionally - but like a physical ailment it took that amount of time to forgive myself - for all the pain i had caused my family to my husband and two boys because they suffered too - but i had to forgive myself mainly for what I had done to my own life at my own hands. I had fainted and in losing consciousness I broke my neck at C5/6 … incomplete so I retained bladder and bowel control I can do pretty much everything as before my accident except I can’t walk. My family is still intact but I still have to live with the guilt and that’s the worst part.
@@denisepaulsenful you're a kind soul. Thank you for sharing your story.
@@aprillove9318 thank you ♥️
Thank you for sharing your story. I am not paralyzed, but have lived with constant pain since I was 19 (hydroplaning accident). I have been in several accidents,starting in childhood, so I battle scoliosis, which was borderline as a teen, but currently causes problems. Now, at 59, I have 7 vertebrae fused in my neck & a spinal cord stimulator, which helped me get off 20+ years of Fentanyl patches. Pain is debilitating. Thank you for keeping it real!
I would have been angry with the city leaving that hole uncovered.
City planners across the nation don’t shave a huge concept of ADA consulting or construction , while ambulatory than I was and have horrible gait I have noticed all sorts of blunders and worrisome situations. Like large grated vents and shafts , side walk obstacles including divots cracks cross signals the best remedy to this is go to school university or equivalent work with the city and planning departments or volunteer with these departments .
I’m watching this in my wheelchair thinking how your painful story is inspirational and I don’t feel as alone as I did before. Thank you for ask of your videos. Thank you for sharing the raw tenderness.
I am newly disabled and learning about wheelchair life. Thank you for being so vulnerable in sharing! There is a lot to learn with living with a wheelchair. A wheelchair is a freedom.
I'm proud of you for speaking about this and giving the whole story. I'm not sorry for you. I believe that any one having a disability doesn't need pity. Compassion yes, but pity - no. So I am convinced that saying "I'm sorry" is the wrong thing to say. So I will say this - you have made the best of the situation life has dealt you and you just keep going and improving day by day - so you are my inspiration to work thru my own movement issues.
As a wheelie girl- I appreciate your lack of pity ☺️💜 hope you’re doing ok
@@Hopeandpeaceinjesus I'm doing okay. Just dealing with lower back & neck issues due to herniated discs. But I hate when people say their sorry for me when I'm having a bad day and having to use a wheelchair or my walker. I don't want their pity - it doesn't really do a damned thing for me and its only said to make the speaker feel better. Yeah I'm in a mood, sorry for the rant. Disabled people - no matter the extent of their disability - needs anyone's pity as we've got more than enough of our own we're dealing with. My feelings on saying "I'm sorry" to a disabled person should only come from close friends & family (and only immediately after the injury). Strangers saying that to me I find offensive because I know I'm physically challenged but I do not want or need their pity. Its usually said because they have no idea how to speak to a disabled person.
@@cydnicaldwell1337 Most people don't even really know how to talk to other people in general because it seems that half the country will always find something to be offended about while the other is to afraid to open their mouths out of fear of offending someone. If people were able to have a bit of thicker skin and actually listen to what other people are trying to say instead of trying to constantly find faults with their words. If people always feel like they have to watch what words they use around you then how do you expect them to be comfortable around you.
I'm almost totally there dude... getting my c-brace in 13 days is the only thing keeping me going. I went to a wedding the other night and for the first time chose my wheelchair over my walker. Totally surprised my wife
So cool! I may have to be in my wheelchair for my best friend's wedding and she is so supportive but I hope I have just use a cane and braces.
My dad was a paraplegic and since he was in his chair he would always be visible in photos of large groups and now that he has been gone for the last decade I really appreciate him sticking out a little bit more in family pictures 😅🥰
10 years in and I still hate this chair so damned much, but.. that said... I couldn't live without it, and I have an irrational fear of losing it for whatever reason (it breaking, or needing to replace it but not being able to afford it, etc... It's a part of me, but one that I can't stand... It's the strangest thing to be so afraid to lose something that has become a part of yourself. They're my legs when mine can't be. (Incomplete, but extremely limited mobility and extreme fall risk)...
What Happened To U Clark That Caused U To Be Paralyzed
my accident was July 14th 2022 and I'm still recovering from it now.
Thank you for sharing. My husband was injured in the military and has been wheelchair bound for the last 15 years and has gone through the tunnel of darkness, every time he’s had a set back. Over the years, he has gotten better and knows he will never walk again. One thing that has helped with the pain, is a Spinal Cord Stimulator in-plant. This helps blocks the pain signals from the nerves to the brain. He takes Pain meds for the break through pain but the stimulater has been the best thing for pain management. He will be going for his upgrade in a couple of weeks. It might be something that you haven’t heard of before or have, I don’t know. This is the first video of yours, that I have watched. I will be watching more and i wish you the best of luck on your journey
I am amazed that the hole that you fell in, was not covered or protected in any way. I’m not familiar with these parking garages in Atlanta so maybe I am missing something. It really is amazing that you survived and I have much respect for your journey and your strength of will.
I was in a terrible accident, hit by a drunk driver. Amputee, spinal cord injuries, and a laundry list of trauma. I'm in chronic pain, non-ambulatory, like you, was active, professional skydiver. 10 years now and I'm so ready to just die. It seems that this bed is my future, pain is my future.
How do you cope man? You seem so positive and alive. You and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Wish I could have what you do but I'm checking out soon.
I'm so tired, exhausted...
❤❤I will send a prayer up!!Hang in there!!!🎉❤
Do not lose hope man, find joy in things that you are able to do. Find love in the people around you. I hope God improves your emotions, truly. May God bless you with happiness
There are fates worth than death and death can be kindness in some situations, don’t feel any guilt for feeling this way, it’s not your fault. In saying this I hope things to get better for you, whatever that means in your life. ❤
It's crazy how a single moment can change your life forever. I'm 34 now, and when I was 26 and in my last year of my doctorate, I stood up from my computer only to have my foot collapse under me. After a series of misdiagnoses and tons of doctors, they finally realized I had a very severe nerve entrapment which then led to me developing CRPS/RSD. The hardest thing is grieving what you wanted for your life and not being able to do what I used to. I'm struggling so much because I haven't dated since becoming disabled, and I've always known I wanted children. Thank you for sharing your story.
💕Brandi
Oh my! Curious, bc Idk anything about it, are there no surgeries to release that nerve?
@jennifers.3818 Yes, I had several surgeries to release the nerve, but it triggered the CRPS nerve pain in my whole body.
Brandi, I've had RSD/CRPS since birth - 64 years. I didn't get diagnosed until I was unable to move anything except my hands and required high flow oxygen. I was actively dying. My Dr gave me 3 months or less to live. That was in 1995. Needless to say....his prognosis was wrong. Currently, I have one leg that is paralyzed, and I'm in pain 24/7. I don't even know what having a pain-free moment would be like. I could write for hours telling my story. I would be happy to answer your questions and help steer you towards help. In the meantime, I'll be praying for you.
Why can’t you finish your “doctorate?”..you didn’t have a brain injury did u.
How are you? ❤
Thanks, Richard. Thanks to you I got over my fear of wheelchairs. I watched your tutorials while I waited for my chair to arrive, and thanks to you it fit perfectly the first time and I got what I wanted. I've got some big decisions and major changes to make in my life right now and this video has given me the courage to move forward. You and a bunch of others on RUclips have shown me that there is life without walking. **Holds nose and leaps into unknown**
Idk how I just now saw this video of his 2 years after he posted it..used to watch his channel and kind of forgot about it and then this video was recommended to me today..so I guess that's why, lol just surprised I didn't see it in the past. Anyways, just wanted to see how you are doing now 2 years later! Hope all is going well for you!❤
I got shot in the back by a thug at martin luther king park over something that I had nothing to do with. Im L1 incomplete. Im going on 9 years. The first 5 years was extremely bad. Surgeries, depression, relationships ending but the last 3 years has been good to me.
You want urgent recovery from stroke and paralysis then WhatsApp +79260044771 for help and more information
Your story is inspiring. My mom (this happened almost3 years ago) went into the hospital (on a Wednesday) able to walk, talk, and was able to carry on a conversation. She was living in a nursing home at the time. When she went back Monday morning she could NONE of them. She is now completely paralyzed. She can move her arms but can't put any weight on her legs. She can talk now. I have never had anyone who could explain what happened.
Hi, was in the middle of writing a longish message to you and asking how did your mother's health is now? My mother had similar symptoms due to multiple mini-strokes from vascular dementia. Possibly the worst of all the dementia varieties.
But this is not about my dear mum:
I pray your mum is ok and you are well too 🙏🏻
Xx Lucia
@@lalulu03 and I hope the same for you dear, sending love
Hey Richard, I just watched the whole vid and felt inclined to comment. I’m about your age, 30, turning 31 in a couple weeks. I also used to be top-notch fit, competing in building comps, as well as ocean rescue lifeguard tournaments. I don’t pretend to have the same level of struggle as you, I blew out my bottom two discs deadlifting like a total egomaniac about 7 years ago, but nonetheless I now struggle with the profess of spinal injury due to that, and struggle to walk, sit, etc, and any kind of gym routine or the like is a pipe dream I have nightmares over from missing it so much. I just want you to know I follow you because your pursuit of a good life is inspiring, thank you for taking us along with you.
Same here blew out L4-L5S1 in 1988 Deadlifting, that one extra rep did it. I went undiagnosed, I was young, rebounded , I thought all was good. It would flair up from time to time over the years but I continued to lift, run etc & 2015 it caught up with me. Collapsed at work, had to finally had to see a specialist. 3 surgeries later, I’m much better but I have to still use a wheelchair.
All between the years, I had heaps mental health issues I had to reconcile with. (ironically, I’m a mental health caseworker) I finally accepted the hand I was dealt & turned the negative to a positive. Slow and steady wins the race mate! You’ll get there mate, you’re not alone....👍🏾🇦🇺
I lost 30% hearing loss in my left ear and tinnitus from my service in the military, I mourn the lost and fight to deal with it and tinnitus. You motivate me thank you 🙏🏼
I have a brain tumor which caused pulsatile tinnitus. We should be grateful 🙏 we are able to walk though, don't you think?
The way you described what it's like when you realize you're actually paralyzed was PERFECT. When it happens you just know & it's the hardest physical thing to try & explain to anyone that's never experienced it....well done. Wishing you so much success & pain free movement going forward ❤️
Not true I didn't know
I didn’t know
After listening to your story, I was able to pinpoint that I’ve been struggling through getting past the denial phase and into setting realistic goals that I can allow myself to work towards. I will be thinking of this video when I start physical therapy this week, THANK YOU
Facts . I got shot nd paralyzed too gotta move on life dnt stop
how are you doing now Anabel?
@@Danuxsy it’s so cool that you responded to my comment from 2 years ago! I had forgotten I had written that, and your comment made me go back to that time and reflect now that 2 years have passed.
I think I’ve come a long way, mentally. I have managed to set goals I can actually achieve, and not feel embarrassed by them. But the reality is that the feeling of wishing things were different doesn’t go away, but at least now those thoughts do not get in the way of moving forward with my life like it used to. I think that’s progress. I think that’s what it might mean to move past the denial phase…
@@anabelrodriguez5418 wishing you love and strength ❤
Thank you for the “brief” of your journey. I too am in the same place. I do have the C-Brace. I’m 100% permanent-total disabled veteran... so the VA purchased mine. And like you, it would take a book to go through the history of my journey to now. I do have other factors that make my circumstances unique, but we do overlap here. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to make this a possible option for you. Like I stated in my previous comment on another video of yours, I’m going to follow closely as your experiences could assist me, and maybe someday I can assist you as well. Who knows.Again, thank you for taking the time, and for putting forth the energy and for being vulnerable to this reality. It’s helped me already to know there are others like me in these situation. Best wishes... and keep thriving as best as you can, keep going. You’re getting there.
WOW, just wow! I'm soon to celebrate my 21 years "I'm alive day". I'm 67 years old. I'm T12, L1, L2 &L3 incomplete! I'm so glad I stumbled on your channel. I've experienced so many of the same issues. I can also walk with a walker or crutches. BUT yap, IT SUCKS! Today while in my closet in my wheelchair I told myself I really need to unload all the crap that has buried my walker and start using it again. Use it or lose it! I'm very near losing the whole walking experience. Thank you for giving me some encouragement to dig that ugly walker out again. Looking forward to following in future videos!
I postponed watching this because I’m in a bad place with my injury and recovery. It feels unending. Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I needed that. Keep it going.
Today is may 30th , 2024,, I hope your now in a good place , im at the bottom of life ,, and I need positive vibes of people getting in a good place !;
The roller coaster of emotions felt while listening to you was real and awesome. You’re a badass and beast and a life coach reaching and touching lives bro.
I'm amazed at the fact that you didn't shatter your heels from that hight (or maybe you didn't mention it?). Like you I fell, I fell from a significant hight (30 feet or 2 stories) and landed on both my feet and my bum. When I landed on both feet (right foot first which is why most of my severe injuries are on the right side of my body) I completely shattered both my heels (it's called a comminuted fracture which is the worst kind) and they were so badly fractured that they were almost beyond repair, but they were able to fuse both my heels to my talus bone somehow. I still till this day don't know if had they been able to screw the fractured bone pieces together, if I would be able to walk normally again like I used to, but this fusion does seem to have given me all the problems I have today. I've followed a lot of people who have fallen bigger heights than me, fractured both heels and are up walking as they used to...So I feel quite out of place in these ''fractured heel communities'' but never the less a fractured heel is one of the most serious bone injuries as it can leave you pretty disabled as it has for me. Because I fractured them so badly, I can only walk shorter distances and even with these shorter distances, it can get uncomfortable as I am essentially walking on two previously very shattered heels. From the fall, like you, I burst fractured my L4 and L5 but my spinal cord was unaffected - they had to do surgery from the front and back and inserted a CAGE - not sure if you had the same procedure? But I am left with some chronic back pain and I can't just sit for long periods because my back is very stiff. The rest of my injuries were healed conservatively, such as fracturing 3 ribs, my inferior pubis ramus and ilium on my the right side of my hip, and my sternum, and 2 collapsed lungs, pneumopericardium 11 mm (air in the sac of ones heart). I do have an L5 nerve damage (right side) which has made my hamstring on my right leg weaker, a slight drop foot on right side and some loss of sensation on a part of my calf and right foot (dorsal part next to my toes) and very seldomly some nerve pain on my right foot. Because the doctors thought I might have ruptured my esophagus,I was essentially not allowed to eat or drink for a week - man that was awful, the thirst was the worst part even if they were giving me fluids. But there is one thing I will never forget that my surgeon told me. He told me that because my injuries were so bad, they only gave me a 50 percent chance of healing process compared to how ''well I healed'' and then he told me that it was all me and my mindset and that is the reason I've come this far. I do believe that a strong mindset will go a long way
I don't deal with paralysis or even KNOW someone dealing with anything like this. But in some magical way your channel found its way into my feed and I'm so glad it did. You have a lot of value to bring to the value - not just to the wheelchair or paralysis community but everyone.
value to bring to the table... and no I don't think so. He literally thought that falling 50 feet (15 METERS) will just "sting a little bit" LMAO, he ended up exactly where he should be, in a wheelchair.
26 days after this video was created, I was the passenger in a vehicle that went off-road, airborne, rolled four times upon landing and the airbags didn't deploy. This resulted in 2 vertebral compound fractures, 1 burst fracture, T10 - L3 spinal fusion and non life threatening internal injuries from the lap belt. My legs were only paralyzed for the first 3 days after the accident and I've since progressed to a cane which, as you stated, is very slow and a bit unsteady. When given an EMG in June, the S1 tibial nerves in my feet had 0 response, hence the balance issues. I also lost feeling in the pelvic region immediately so, now that my internal issues have been addressed, my neurologist has begun a series of steroid epidurals in an attempt to pinpoint & reawaken those nerves. So far there has been little success.
I was nodding, smiling and tearful at so many points while listening to this because I too was extremely active. In fact, for the last several years, I've worked side by side with a younger (I'm 49), all male, construction crew that does odd-jobs in our area. For anything from building 20x60 foot greenhouses, digging 400 yard trenches for new sewer line or demolishing/rebuilding chimneys...we were the people to call. My overall health, strength, abilities, physique, etc., have long been a source of pride and achievement for me....so the past 8 1/2 months have been physically challenging but mentally crippling. At the worst of my "downs" I've isolated, had heart wrenching emotional breakdowns and even suicidal thoughts at one point. Even though I have a great support system, I feel very alone and it recently dawned on me that I don't have to, I just have to reach out to people that have been here. Thank you for creating this video, I'm very glad that I found it.
Thank you for sharing your story, I hope that you are mentally in a better place right now. People like you give me hope, although I am not paralyzed but daily in extreme pain because I have hip dysplasia and need a back op and hip replacement. I have a lot to be thankful for. Reading stories like yours it reminds me to be thankful. I can relate to you in the sense of sometimes feeling alone because you just feel the people around you just basically don't understand what you are going through. I hope that life treats you kind in the future 😊
We
michelle+ YOU WROTE A BOOK, I FORGIVE YOU ONLY DO TO THE TRAUMA
I can barely pull myself together to type this. Your story breaks my heart. People are so horrible sometimes, as if it isn’t devastating enough going through life-changing physical difficulties, but sometimes I think people that are out there judging us make things the toughest on us. I’m incredibly lucky in most areas since my accident….compression fractures of t6,t7, and t8. The only lasting effects are limited movement, nerve damage that’s very inconsistent and chronic pain. I consider myself SO lucky that it wasn’t worse. But, the ridiculous amount of judgement and lack of understanding is sometimes the most debilitating yet. I stopped taking all medication and let my body heal on its own. I had to let go of my 33 year career and try to find a new way in life. My family has been the biggest challenge/hurdle so far. I’m working on not caring what they think. I never thought it would be this difficult! You sound like you have definitely had many challenges and are overcoming each one with grace. I wish you the most happiness and success in your life. Thank you for sharing your story ❤
Michelle Sweet. Just read your message. So sorry for what you’ve been through. Since your journey is on going I also send prayers and love. (Retired ED Nurse) 🙏🏻❤️
I really needed to hear this. I was the right person and this was the right story. I've replayed this multiple times today and am so thankful for people like you that step up through their enormous battles simply for the benefit of people who need help but don't have anyone. I don't want to quit, but sometimes like you said it's just so damn hard.
Did you sue the city? You deserve a huge settlement for the city’s negligence leaving that hole open.
I almost had this exact same thing happen to me as a kid but on a bicycle, my bike was over the open hole but luckily I managed to plant 1 foot on the road just on the edge of the hole and swing my entire bike around and land in the middle of the road on my side. Was crazy, literally 1 inch away from ending up like this dude. So it must happen quite often.
yes I started studying law and I have just recently learned about that. Seems kinda fishy, I'm not saying he is lying, but it could be. Not hating it would be understandable to not be at peace with the real story
@@srm6563 I take it you've never been through that part of Atlanta... holes left open all the time and so many fucky bends and corners.
@@srm6563 I been studying law for a few years. This shit happens all the time.
I was thinking the same thing total negligence Jesus
I have a heart condition that means if i walk any further than the size of your average convenience store, i will pass out. It means that for many outings, i am in a wheelchair to prevent any falls or injuries. I feel a gratitude for it now, watching this.
I enjoy your videos. I’m not paralyzed but I am headed towards a wheelchair. I have IPF and I’m on the list for a lung transplant, I am on oxygen and have a portable machine that I use to walk around but even with the auction machine it is so hard and I could only get so far and I have to sit down. I recently went away with my wife and rented a scooter and just like you said in your video it made my life so much easier to get places and not be struggling. To breathe. I have a trip booked for Hawaii in 2021 for our 25th wedding anniversary I was planning on canceling it then I saw your video about getting around to an airport with a wheelchair. So I did not cancel it and I plan on going on that trip. And I’m just looking for things to do that or wheelchair friendly. Thank you for showing me that it can be done. I know once I get a new set of lungs I will be able to walk, so I know our cases are so different but you have been helpful to me and I do appreciate it. I hope you can find a way to get the C brace!
It's interesting to hear all this, and to see that almost everybody who left a like also commented. I have mad respect for you, man, and I have absolutely nothing to do with wheelchairs or spinal cord injuries, I found your channel through an "ask me anything" video and have been watching everything since. Great stuff. You're one of the few channels out there who doesn't succumb to dumb, flashy challenges and fitness trends (maybe because you can't try every challenge, idk), but it's very down to earth and refreshing. Thanks to Andrew as well.
About to loose my leg. Can see how much even the memory of your trauma causes you even now. It's facing the end of life as you knew it. Its bloody horrible to process
.
Your story is very inspiring. I recently became a paraplegic as a result of a bad motorcycle accident that happened May 11th 2023. I broke my t4 and t5, paralyzed from the chest down. It sucks really bad, but I’m learning, I’m trying everyday to be better than the day before. Things are just so hard now, but I’m still trying. Thank you for your videos, they’ve been a great help. Keep pushing forward brother🤟🖤♿️
You’ve come far my dude. Now you’re setting wheelie noobs like me, up for wheellife success. Thanks for replying to my insta post- was in a really low place with mental health (one of my cats was sick and passed aged 3 a few weeks back) it really gave me a boost to get those comments from you. Thanks for everything you’ve shown and inspired in myself and so many others- you are the reason I didn’t get that anger and shame etc... I’ve had nothing but positives in my 1yr of chair life thanks to you and your channel... I’ve always felt super confident and proud of my wheelie girl status, I’d not change it for the world, life is finally better than it ever was before
I would actually be interested in a “crash test” with a dummy, showing how your body would react in all sorts of landings from different heights. Like what exactly would happen if your hands hit first like when people fall forward, what would happen if you landed flat on your back, type of thing. It would be interesting to see which bones and structures are damaged and where the force travels to.
So glad that you lived to tell this story, love the few minutes here and there that I get to watch your videos. You’ve taught me a lot. Thank you.
Cai Litnton I want to illustrate the Physics as well via 3D models
Those crash test dummies are quite expensive.
pax und peace I imagine they would be.
Well, landing flat at your back crushes your skull at least.
What an inspirational story. Loved your honesty and sense of humour.
You're a living miracle! And such an amazing inspiration - THANK YOU for being there and sharing everything! I'm actually here because I'm temporarily a wheelchair user and badly miss my independence and somewhere on the internet they recommend your scooter conversion attachment for a wheelchair, to be able to use it myself.
I didn't bank on your wonderful encouraging story and finding that inspiration I've been needing since April 2023. Better late than never!
I am 63yo and miss my salsa dancing, my running, my hiking on the mountains and walking... And just having a wheelchair for the last month, has made me regain that hunger for life and the enjoyment of being outdoors...
Thank you from my heart.
And you're welcome anytime here in the UK, as you have here another mum ❤
Xx Lucia 🤗
PS Wheels4Hope 🌟
When we have these injuries we tend to think that people know how we feel but when I hear you and your struggle it reminds me of what I’m going through and just how naive people are? Thanks for the comfortable feeling you only get from being able to connect to someone and their personal journey.
Thank you for sharing your precious wonderful self. I’m going on 7 years now and i am still dealing with large issues such as pain and bowel issues. I am still a work in progress. I wish you all the best and great success. Peace!!
Thank you for sharing your story with the world and giving me a better perspective on conquering the mental roadblocks of disability. Your vulnerability and resilience is badass. I hope I can gain your positivity and attitude soon.
I enjoyed hearing your story. I have my own, beginning when my spinal surgeon effed up multiple times on my “routine” fusion surgery, leaving me paralyzed below the waist (incomplete). He then kept me drugged so deeply that I remember almost nothing of the two weeks before my transfer to the rehab hospital. I didn’t eat or poop the entire time. The surgeon lied to me and my family, saying that every thing went great (my three hour surgery took TWELVE). Thirty years later, here I am, watching you. Life goes on.
Did you sew the crap out of the doctor?
@@blakearius He lost his entire practice, but was at least 65 already. Found out through depositions that he owed 11 million already to other patients who mistakenly trusted him! His hospital privileges had expired before he did my surgery, too! He only paid 450K to me, with 150K going to my lawyer.
The lawyer screwed me over, though. He instructed his underling to stop working in my case because he thought it wasn’t going to pay off. A woman called me with a fantastical story one night. She said her husband was dying from problems incurred during his surgery, and she had a lawsuit against the surgeon, too. She had received paperwork with a list of people involved who apparently were claimed to not be interested in settlements because they (we, I) were unresponsive to legal papers. My lawyer stopped bring responsive! So I did what I had to do the next day, and soon received the $450K, and THEN you can bet my lawyer had his hand out fast!
Lots of malpractice goes unnoticed, is lied about, or is just too hard to prove in court. A doctor has to do more than make a little mistake- it has to be something no competent doctor would do. Most malpractice cases don’t pay the injured party. But 450K (in 2002) was not a lot for a lifetime of pain, mobility issues, and the loss of my business (custom aquarium installations, service).
In the U.S. in 2001 it was not possible to get medical insurance if one had “pre-existing conditions”, and I had a lot! I paid cash for my many necessary medical appointments, tests, treatments, and therapies. It went fast! I would have been so much better off if I had a good surgery! (My little daughters lost their mother in a sense, too.)
@@TallDiana Wow, I've never actually had such an in depth response from a youtube reply. You and my dad would have alot to talk about.
He was hit by a car at 90km by drunk driver and survived. Got a $550 thousand au payout(mid 80's). Sadly he lost all of it due to bad investments, gambling and not holding on to the house.
15 years ago he sued railcorp for punching him to the ground.. his own lawyers absolutely screwed him(they would have settled and left him with nothing) and he ended up having to defend himself and only got 20k, he would have sued the lawyers if he wasn't completely over it.
Then a couple years ago he was knocked off his scooter by a crappy driver and broke his back.. again incompetent lawyers almost tanked it but he came away with 200k, much of which went to former business partner that had invested in him at the time.
I guess one caveat is that the medical system in Australia is pretty good so most medical costs are covered.. But he still has to deal with no smell, addiction, bipolar and a superbug in his leg that flairs up.
Life can be such a rollercoaster of unfairness.. my life is a mess but it's video's and stories like yours that put things into perspective and help me try to appreciate things more.
@@blakearius
Life can be a struggle. I figure it’s all downhill from here.
It’s hard for many of us. My brother in law had his third knee replacement, replacing his second one that was put in wrong and hurt and swelled every single day for ten years. He was doing physical therapy and they had him doing some ridiculous move that he said was a bad idea. He was talked into trying to do it anyway, and he ruptured a disk in his back. While he waited for surgery on his back, he couldn’t walk right, and he fell several times, demolishing several fingers and requiring hand surgery. Today, he had spine surgery and was told rehab will take time since nerves were damaged.
It’s. All. Downhill….. wheeeeeeeeeee 😁
@@TallDiana My oldest uncle was pulled off a small cliff by his dog last month.. so yeh for him it was literally downhill. I think he has to walk with some kind of pully system as his foot no longer works.
My mum just had double knee replacement though and its gone incredible well. Everything else might hurt but gotta take the wins where you can.😅
My cousin fell from 37 feet while working on a plane. He also survived 🙏🏻 glad you're still with us
Thank you is such a small phrase to fully express my gratitude for this video. 💙
I have multiple sclerosis. I am trying to regain my ability to walk, and function more normally and independently. I always go to your videos when I am feeling down and need motivation to keep trying.
I became paralyzed from the waist down 30 days ago. I wanted to say Thanks for sharing. It inspires me to not become angry and addicted even though that seems impossible to accomplish.
You are an amazing chap Dominic with a super family. Your resience matches your faith. Thanks for sharing your upliftng story. Keep it steady too x
I really enjoyed this listen... I did learn a lot about you , where you came from and how you arrived here where you are today. I have arachnoiditis, and a fear of losing my mobility. The spinal cord itself is rubbing against the bone. I have watched you for a while now and really for the fear of becoming wheel chair bound and how am I going to cope with it. Watching this is a reminder that you really do have to "ignore it and it will go away" *my way of coping with the nerve pain * Ignore the fact that I may lose my independence, and keep positive for what you can do. I am a volunteer firefighter, 60 year old woman, and I am not ready to give it up. I am in care of a pain management Dr. and totally refuse to take any kind of opioid, Mainly just for the reason you described. Love ya dude!
It's really nice to see all of the story told in one place. I've been watching the podcast, and went back and rewatched the ones I initially missed.
You are such a good memory teller! I was riveted and entertained the whole time.
You are such a survivor…. I had a brain tumor that was supposed to shrink with radiation but hey 6 years later I was down in Philly having brain surgery… so many now new normals that I have to deal with… including left sided deafness….. I understand your struggle…. If u ever want a chat hit me up… A friend in PA
Hey thanls for sharing, its been 8 years for me on october 5th. I was in a motorcycle accident and landed head first in the side of a mountain. I had a compression fracture at my t5, the Dr said it looked like a hand grenade. They removed my T4,5,6 and replaced them with cadaver vertebrae. I ended up with 6 spinal fracture t3,4,7 t4,5,6, 11 ribs left shoulder blade and right wrist. Like you i knew it the second it happened, i never got knocked out. I landed face down looking at my hands threw the face shield of my helmet. I told them to move and my fingers moved, i knew then i would be ok and could get threw it. To those wondering no inwasnt speeding or doing anything stupid. I was going between 30 and 40mph. My right foot peg caught the pavement on a 90 deg eight turn and it flipped the bike over, (highsided) it was like a catapult and i was the rock.
Man that's a lot of damage! It sucks that you feel you had to state you weren't doing anything wrong at the time (speeding) as though some people automatically assume you "did it to yourself" or "got what you deserved" It never even occurred to me you were speeding or doing anything unsafe. I actually assumed a car had hit you as that is a way more common cause of motorcycle involved accidents. I don't drive motorcycles as I think they are dangerous personally - as in for me to ride - but I in know way think that those who ride bikes and get hurt caused it themselves! I really hope you don't have to put up with that assumptive crap to often, or preferably AT ALL! Ignore the haters! Lots of love.
Richard, you are such an incredible person. You truly inspire me and thousands of other disabled folk around the world.
That's one hell of a story Richard, but i'm glad you're still here tot tell it yourself. Im turning 18 in December and have a lot of adult stuff to figure out, i'm so grateful I have my amazing mom who supports me through thick and thin. My parents are divorcing and with me having a physical disability, it takes a lot more out of me than I thought it would. But this hard time that im going through is temporary and I know that. This too shal pass.
I hope you can find a way to have the C-Brace approved, from what i see it would be very benefitial for you.
love from The Netherlands💙
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m sure it’s helping a lot of people. In 2018 I fell about 15 feet flat on my face onto a concrete basketball court. Coma for 2 days, no memory for two whole weeks after it happened. But miraculously I did not have physical or brain injuries to an extreme degree considering how bad it easily could have gone. I have had a of number of seizures since and my shoulder had to get redone with surgery/PT, but I’m not really affected by it anymore on a daily basis.
But hearing your story gave me perspective on life that I value very much and helps me not take for granted my good fortune in terms of how things could have gone from the fall I had.
I also appreciate you speaking candidly about your struggles with addiction. I’m 2.5 years sober myself and I think it’s extremely positive for the world for people to speak honestly about substance abuse because so many people struggle with it and don’t address it.
You’re incredibly strong to talk about your experiences and relive it all. Thank you for sharing your story.
You should make business cards inside pamphlets for the Hospitals, Rehabs and Nursing Homes to hand out to new Wheelchair users. It would contain the following:
Your Name
Website Address
Video Address
Short Story of how it came to be.
I believe this would be beneficial to the community, both the Wheelchair user and their families.
Richard, man I love your attitude and you’re so freakin funny!!! 😅😂😂. It’s been so uplifting to get to know you and yet so sad to hear all or part of what you’ve been through. Your tenacity is contagious and your sense of adapting to whatever comes along resonates with me. I almost bedridden from childhood abuse of me taking hits to my back as part of my “discipline” and am becoming more and more paralyzed as I grow older. Most every vertebrae has been fractured, broken, discs are herniated, bulging, and I’ve had both lungs collapsed. Parents were drug dealers and when I didn’t behave, I got herion, crack, LSD, etc. so I’d be quiet and then they could abuse me. So I couldn’t fight back. I was in rehab at 12, cold turkey. No drugs or any help from staff. Tied to a bed to “fight it out”. Parents told them I had been using for years and they didn’t know it until I started doing “stupid things.” (Social Services was onto them so they had to do something), and had taken me and put me in the foster home so I could change my “stinky attitude” of never listening to my parents. Long story very short. I’m also a fighter like you and will NEVER give up. I’m not wired that way. I have walkers and a wheelchair but can walk on my own pretty good still, but have really felt and seen my drastic decline in the last year with falling and a lot of instability. I’ll be fine. Like you said, just wait, things always change. I believe! I just found you and will check out your podcast and channel. I think this video was made for me because I need your strength and to laugh or cry with you as you fight for your life for your body not to take you down with it. Congrats on all your big steps Brother! I’m so very proud of you!!! 🎂 Peace and big love from Canada 🇨🇦 ❤✨🪔🦼🧘🏻♀️🌞🌹
Bloody hell, that was one unbelievable story!!!! I was on edge the whole time. I’m still in shock.
Will definitely listen to your podcasts. You are a straight up honest storyteller.
Your advice…..just wait…be patient & just wait. 👍👍
In 2009 I was in a bad accident. We hit black ice and got T boned. I broke my L-2 fractured my L-5. Now I’m fused from my T-11 thur S-1. Now I have 14 screws and 2 rods in my back. The 2 lady’s in the other car passed away. So sorry for their families. It was just a freak accident. Keep going strong buddy. Your doing great.
I am glad you are OK. My dad fell about 40 to 45 feet of a cliff into shallow water in St Kitts US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean and survived thanks to him falling into a big enough wave to break his fall. He destroyed his right ankle. He was alone and had to first climb up the side of the cliff and then once at the top of the cliff he just fell from he had to drag himself over a mile to a hotel. Once at the hotel he was taken to the local hospital where they helicopted him to Florida where his mom was a nurse. Everybody wanted to amputate his right ankle. Except for my grandmother who would not let them. The surgeons and nurses saved my dad's ankle and life. My dad was in his twenties when this happened. He now is 80 years old. At the time my dad was a pro runner and had been a pro runner for the air force all around the world. After he recovered, he was no longer able to run like he used to. But he still has both his ankles and his life. He only had to have only one other surgery years later on his right ankle in the British Virgin Islands where my mom, younger brother, my dad, and myself were living at the time. My dad is a true survivor and so are you. Thank you for sharing your story. God bless and have a great night. Sascha Shamkin
A little over 2 months ago I was T boned on my passenger side, causing our truck to flip. I was 16 at the time. I had 7 different fractures in my back starting at C1 but my spinal cord was completely crushed at the T11 and T12. I had an aortic dissection which I had emergency surgery on. I had a broken rib that collapsed my lung and a few smaller injuries. My surgeon said it was one of the worst back breaks he’s seen in 30 years and I was out of the hospital and inpatient rehab in a month’s time. I’m about to start outpatient PT soon!
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You talk about spreading all your knowledge and stuff and that’s cool, like your chair on how to do wheelies and stuff was massively helpful to me. But i think the bigger thing for me is the stories. I was starting to go down a dark path with drugs, but you got me on a better path. learning from each other’s mistakes is so much better than having to make our own and learn from those.
I understand from the caregiver side of things. My husband and I were in a semi vs motorcycle accident he is a incomplete quad. Lucky me just broke my leg so I'm able to care for him at home.
I watch this all the way through. I want to work towards living alone. I’m 15 years old and it’s only a matter of time before I get to that age where I can move out on my own and I want to but it’s hard because I have cerebral palsy.
You are brave and an inspiration.
I have cerebral palsy-spastic ataxic diplegia, and a spinal cord injury, and lots of problems with my feet-which need surgery, torn ligaments. I live alone. I am currently waiting on a wheelchair because my ankles are too unstable, my knees, my hips, my back, postural orthostatic tachycardia that can make me faint, and epilepsy.
I also injured my tailbone on a boulder in a river, wanting to swing from one like in the movies, but a boulder was hidden under the water. I also my broke my back and right heel in a suicide attempt in my late twenties. I knew I was disabled before those attempts, but no one was taking my chronic pain seriously before my attempts, my CP was misdiagnosed as another motor disorder, I’m autistic which I didn’t get diagnosed until right before that.
I thought I wasn’t going to be able to care for myself, and didn’t have a support system outside of my mother.
But I survived. My support system isn’t perfect but is better than I thought. I’ve learned how to adapt. I’ve learned self acceptance isn’t a one time thing, but a process.
I’m also autistic. I live alone. I’m a visual artist and poet. It’s hard as far as government housing and income limits, not being able to drive etc. Healthcare is frustrating. My mother is 79, and has heart failure and cancer.
But it’s not impossible.
But I also have friends. I am a published poet. I do disability advocacy.
It is possible to live alone. Never stop advocating for yourself. Respect your body. I never related to my body even from early childhood. I was a mind over matter person.
But my body is important. It’s the only one I have. It does a lot for me even if different from other bodies.
I pushed my body a lot because I felt I didn’t have any other choice. I didn’t use mobility aids until I got certain diagnoses because of stigma, including from doctor’s.
If you need mobility aids, rest; no one knows your body better than you. I’ll be 40 in May; don’t let anyone’s attitudes get you down, even some in the medical field.
Keep exploring your interests. Your life is worth it.
Thank you for sharing Richard. ❤️
Thank you Richard for sharing from Trinidad
I have EDS and tons of it's complications. I did enjoy this story because I have a similar one with my whole life changing and not remembering and being in the ICU and then getting to the rehab hospital where they saved my life.
I was only 20. I was a professional ballet dancer and teacher and it was all taken. Now to just keep going I have to do PT for Everything, I swear... I'm grateful you shared your story. At my rehabilitation hospital, I made a few friends who survived falls (one of which was of a five story parking deck, another fell through glass of a skylight, crazy stories everywhere...) But I didn't fall that much I was a fall risk cause of pain meds but they helped me get mostly off of those as well. Also developed cachexia(starvation) due to the pain meds suppressing my appetite and making me sleep ALL THE TIME. Anyway, my wonderful PT there literally picked me up and carried me to the PT room once. Eventually, one month of moping and two months of solid hard work that I never want to have to go through again, and I was on the outside, and going to Disney world (literally-for a wish trip) three days after leaving the rehab hospital. I remember when other people who got there after me went how before me and I hated myself for it but I was told everyone heals at different rates and there are treatments for some stuff and not others... it made my heart drop every time someone else got to go home.
I don't remember much and we had to rest a lot but at least I got to see it and was cleared for rides! It was the only thing I was looking forward to after getting out.
Today, I am seeing that very same doctor who gave me forty-eight hours to live. She's been my main doctor I see every month, and I even used to go to church with her, so we have a great relationship and she is understanding about me not wanting more and more meds.
She's been really encouraging.
I believe everything happens for a reason
I'm like you Richard, one thing happens... I recover a bit, and then another terrible thing is next- right when I'm getting used to my new normal.
Thank you for sharing your story. I recently have had the misfortune of becoming a part time wheelchair user and following your story has helped me immensely. Thank you again.
Saw your vidio i'm
67 and my right leg was amputated can't see ahead anymore but you gave me something to think about
Hi. I'm a 63yrs old above knee amputee (just over a year ago....due to bone infection). I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 15yrs old so can't use a prosthetic leg. I went through depression because I had too much time to think. Found an online course on dog behavior & am now working towards doing volunteer service dog training. Having my brain occupied with more than just work has had a massively positive effect on my life 🙂And its so great doing a course for the only reason that I'm just interested in it (ie not work related)!
Im L5-S1 parapligic from a car accident. While in the hospital my then abusive husband was cheating on me with my best friend, so this accident saved my life. I was in a wheelchair for 6 years then worked hard to get out of it now I can walk but its not pretty sometimes. Im 16 years out and im really fighting myself about going back into wheelchair the fear of not being able to get back out of it, afraid it will become easier than walking and that anger is real but then you joke about things to make others comfortable. Its a big place inside your head and you get tired of justifying your disability (back injuries are a hidden disability) I was a surgical tech, drag racer and ran 5 miles a day to now I can't run, jump, skip, tiptoe or pee on my on but im still here. Thanks for all you do. It really helps my brain.
God Bless You ❤❤
Boy I thought I had problems I'll never feel sorry for myself after seeing what this guy has been through hang in there and may God bless.
Wow. I’ll definitely be subscribing to the podcast. So glad to have been introduced to your channel some time back. Thank you for sharing part of your story🤟
You did an amazing job telling your story. Keep moving forward!
I hope I can watch this whole video to learn about your story. I love seeing fellow wheelchair users or “wheelie bois” tell their story. I’m a happy your still alive to this day I’m glad your injury was not as severe and your still here to this day and I’m glad your doing amazing to this day and being able to be normal and live normal. I finally got my wheelchair on Monday and have been using it all this week. Can’t wait to learn your whole story. Thanks for everything you have taught me on your channel I don’t know what I would have done without your wheelchair basics and all your videos which I enjoy watching
I Broke my back in a dirt bike accident and am a complete paraplegic.What got me through is support from my family.The way i see it is you cant change the past so why dwell on it? Make the most of what you've got.Lifes a bitch but you gota carry on.Thanks for all your videos.
Such an amazingly personal and honest story.. you are truly properly inspiring
This is crazy. Thank u for sharing. I’ve had many surgeries on my legs also. Was born with a defect in my knees and leg bone. Thank u Richard ! You rock
A while back on their way to visit me, my parents passed a multi-car pileup (something like a semi, a pickup, and another car, and no shoulder on the 2-lane highway) caused by hydroplaning - one learns very quickly to never use cruise when the road is wet (especially as wet as the night you described), and to slow down if something feels off; my dad took off the cruise and they were fine, but something like 13 emergency vehicles (highway patrol, fire, EMS, possibly sheriff as well) passed them on that last stretch of the drive between the pileup and my house, coming from the town my parents were driving to. Very glad your car didn't hydroplane as well in those treacherous conditions you described.
I found your channel via your "Flying in a wheelchair" video, and I have learned a ton from your videos, particularly the wheelchair skills ones - last week I mastered going down curbs facing forwards, and just yesterday I finally mastered hopping up regular curbs with ease: where I live, the sidewalks are pretty horrible - they stop and start randomly, some overgrown lawns reduce sidewalk width by as much as a foot, and most intersections (except on the main street) don't have any curb cuts - so now that I can go up and down curbs easily, I'm no longer confined to the street in places where there's no curb cut to get back up onto the sidewalk (I wheel in the street when I need to - like if the sidewalk ends - but I prefer to not if I have a choice). My goal was to master hopping up them by Thanksgiving. The goal I'm currently working on is going downhill in a wheelie, which isn't overly difficult (I can currently hold it for about 20-30 ft at a time, though I haven't figured out how to go into it while moving - probably has to do with my chair's setup, since I only got it a month ago and some things still need adjusting), but I worry a bit that my SmartDrive will fall of its bracket because of the angle the chair has to be in. My next goal is to learn to land while staying in a wheelie, because I want to eventually learn to go down a small amount of steps (2-3) facing forwards (I have the perfect set of stairs to practice on - 2, wide, shallow - that sticks off my front porch opposite of the ramp, but I will likely need a spotter for that, so it will probably take a bit longer; I'd love to try going down a longer flight backwards, but there aren't any good ones near me to do it on).
I've gotten a few of the annoying remarks, but they never come from people I know (the people who know me are usually either concerned about me because they've never seen me in it before (I'm a part time user and always have been) or they compliment me on it), and I was prepared to deal with them because of watching videos like yours (the "nice to see you out" one really gets me). Today, someone I happened to pass twice while I was out told me that I seemed to always be so happy - I told her, "well, yeah, going from being able to only go one block to being able to go as far I want is really nice" (I've always tended to be a cheerful person, and also getting out today, one of the very last sunny 60-something degree days of the year, was really invigorating).
0:44 I had to think of Foreigner long long way from home
"It was a monday, day like any other day. I left a small town..."
Thank you Richard for sharing your story. I enjoy your videos and I'm almost 3 years in as a T12 incomplete. Your videos along with the Rollettes and Chelsie Hill have given me so much encouragement. Without y'all I wouldn't really have anyone to look to about spinal cord injuries.
This video really helped me, thanks. I want to work on making my nutrition business a success and really help people find the diet that will help them like mine helped stop my migraines. It's not wheelchair related, but who knows, maybe changing my nutrition actually might help my ability to walk again without pain one day. The journey is long but keeping my focus on helping other people (in a way that might also help me too) is keeping me taking one step forward at a time.
Pouting about double broken ankle, 2 months non weight bearing. Pain. Getting off Vicodin. Your story makes me hopeful but also small.
Thankyou for sharing your story, Good to be able to share with the younger people that cross my path. Your a more appropriate role model that a 62 year old grandma.
I'm an ATLien and I remember hearing about this many moons ago. It is crazy to put a face to an incident because it makes the story so much more personal... I'm so glad you have made the most of your experience. Cheers!
you have a link to the story?
Loved watching this video, my son, who is 11, sat through almost the whole video watching it with me. He literally had Jaw Dropping moments. Thank you for this.
Why aren't the holes covered with iron bars or something? O.o
And why are they big enough for a grown man to fall through them?
They normally are, but they were doing matince on the vent or something. Why there wasn't any tape, I don't know
@@jasonnelson5745 Even with caution tape it can come up extremely quick if you are running or riding a bike. Too quick to react, it should be physically blocked.
@@rdizzy1 Yeah, at least a really simple wooden rail or something
It almost happened to me in Manilla The Philippines; walking along with my Auntie and my G/Friend on the pavement suddenly I faced a big sewage hole without yellow or a cover; Luckily my training in Judo and Tae Kwan Do help me stop immediately or I would have disappeared at the other end...Lesson learned: Always on the lookout when outdoors ..
Thank you for this. I really didn't think I would listen to this straight through, but I did. Very honest, sincere and riveting story. This is a very cautionary tale that people need to hear. I am sure you helped a lot of people with insights and being more careful out there. I wish you the best.
This makes me realize just how fake all those super hero landings are in movies. Jeez man. If a runner like me had fallen in that hole I'd be dead for sure. You are amazing!
Just started watching your channel. Love your videos. I'm an ambulatory wheelchair user. I can walk around well 10 minutes at a time on flat ground, can't do any kind of incline, or any kind of walking in the heat. I have heart issues, autonomic nervous system issues, and nerve damage. And it really resonated with me how much you wanted nothing to do with the wheelchair in the beginning. I was in the military on deployment when I had to have heart surgery and all my other issues started. I was running marathons and working out all the time. After my surgery (didn't go well) I developed more issues and limitations. And I refused a wheelchair for the longest time. I would walk for a few minutes, sit on a chair, bench, ground, etc. and try again. Basically went nowhere and did nothing. I pretty much confined myself to sitting around and walking the bit I could around my house and refused to go anywhere because I was dead set eventually I would get better and go back to life as it was. I finally caved after I was trying to walk to an appointment on base, about 6 minutes away in 85° heat and it was just too much and I passed out and smacked my head against a curb. Got a nasty concussion and a resulting TBI and bruised up my whole left side of my face pretty bad. That was my breaking point. Just kind of the realization that things weren't getting better and weren't going to get better. Being an ambulatory user is strange. I get weird looks and rude comments when I'm getting into or out of my chair (because I can stand and walk). Lots of people who are like "well you look fine and you're legs work" or if they see my out of the chair briefly "are you better now?" But giving up on being able to do the things I used to love was definitely the hardest thing for me personally. It's been 8 years and I love my chair now.
Lots of love, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing also sorry for laughing at the srory at around 8:00 about a group of students coming in, and using you as a case study...it was simply the image in my head of an group of students gogging at you,
hi...5years ago I had to start using a wheelchair... MS and spasticity/// then a year ago compression fracture of my spine then then because of a really bad bus driver.then . about 2 weeks ago my scooter toppled over resulting in a hip contusion and a lot a lot of pain.. I cannot the you what an inspiration you are. I've lived in an apt community in manorville ny for the last 7 years and have searched far and wide thru doctors and physical therapists and the internet for wheelchair sports.. spinal chord injury support groups and on and on and no one has told me anything.. and I've found nothing on line.. and as far as custom chairs are concerned I was Told during a "seating evaluation" that they essentially don't exist. I am furious.. its as if people want to see you in a nursing home instead of living independently.. which to present I've been doing on my own and with my own ingenuity.. and no resources ..so you can imagine just how refreshing your video was.. seeing that people ike me are out there living good fulfilling ives..and . now onto your wheels2walking
Lol i love the voice you adopted when you were talking about your 20 year old self and your mindset
I found one of your videos the night they sent me home from the hospital. I was sent home with a wheelchair and no idea how to use it. I started to day walking painfully and poorly but still, I could walk. By the end of the day I was trying to figure out how to get to my bed on the second floor. I found the video showing how go up the stairs by bracing your legs. After that I found another video and another...
That first night you showed me that it was possible to live fully in a wheelchair. I had fought it for so long and knew it was coming sooner rather than later. I thought a wheelchair equaled failure, that I had given up and let these bloody diseases win. Since then I have reclaimed my life and I’m finally making progress. My chair has helped with my mobility, pain and exhaustion levels. Plus we had to sell our house in the city and found our dream bungalow in the county. We have 4.5 acres with an orchard and 1 acre field for gardens with raised beds, a greenhouse and additional fruit trees. I even have a chicken coupe. My husband and kids are making plans to put in paths and ramps to all the outbuildings. They are clearing the old trails on the property so I can drive the 4-wheeler in the woods.
Thank you for making these videos. Thank you for sharing the honest, sometimes sad and mostly funny truth about life in and out of the wheelchair. You are my inspiration. 😉
Thanks from New Zealand. You have been very inspirational to me, made me realise how lucky I am. I Don’t have full spinal damage but walking is so difficult and painful I have already realised the wheelchair is my saviour. You just made me realise that is a good thing. thank you and I wish you all the very best.. Thank you
My Dad was painting a tall building he had a heart attack which stopped his heart. He fell to the ground like dead weight. The impact was so powerful it restarted the heart. Not one broken bone in his body. He damaged his heart but was alive. They did many tests as they didn't believe he hadn't broken anything. I know a paraplegic who got injured skydiving. His chute never opened. He is in the paraolympics. You all have extra angels watching over you for sure.
Thank you for your honesty.
Dude, you *really* need a hug
Omg you have no idea how inspirational you truly are.
I could of never done what you did.
I would be having a pity party
Thank you.
Giving help to others while you're paralyzed.
You should be soooooooo
Proud of yourself.
Dude, you are amazing! Thank you for being so blunt. What a life!!
Really happy that you decided to make this video, man. Heard most cause i have been a subscriber for quite a while now, but to have it fully in one video. Thank you.
I stumbled upon your story, becsuse i follow Sydney Fowler.
Im currently having issues with my L4 area, as my disc is pressing on the theca of the cord- and daily slowly getting worse. Right now i suffer bilateral and saddle numbness( i dont normally feel if i need to pee till i stand) and also pins and needles and itchiness down both sides.
Waiting for orthopedic department to organise an appointment as im fully medically retired by doc.