“My story begins on a clear cold day in December 2006. I was a new-home builder and that day I was on a ladder 30 feet high installing a window. As I was just finishing up the job, the ladder jolted and collapsed. My next waking moment was in the ICU of Shock Trauma at University of Maryland, Kernan Hospital. A nurse was looking at me with great concern. Then the surgeon appeared and informed me that my spinal cord was injured, and I would never walk again.

At that moment, I felt the anger that any normal person would but also feelings of relief that I was still alive. Everyone, including myself, takes walking for granted. I never really thought about it, but for most of us walking gives us the freedom to do so many things. For the past 2 years, not walking has affected every aspect of my daily living and my dependency on others. It also has affected me spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially. My losses are many, yet I have also gained insight into what is really important in life.”