on November name a good friend of mine
name a good friend of mine
name a good friend of mine took a week’s vacation from work to go
took a week’s vacation from work to go
took a week’s vacation from work to go dear home in Mount Pleasant and we had a
dear home in Mount Pleasant and we had a
dear home in Mount Pleasant and we had a nice little place just outside of town
nice little place just outside of town
nice little place just outside of town of Mount Pleasant and Steve and I like
of Mount Pleasant and Steve and I like
of Mount Pleasant and Steve and I like down together so he’ll go to one tree
down together so he’ll go to one tree
down together so he’ll go to one tree and I’ll go maybe 10 20 30 50 yards away
and I’ll go maybe 10 20 30 50 yards away
and I’ll go maybe 10 20 30 50 yards away from Steve where we can see each other
from Steve where we can see each other
from Steve where we can see each other and we can talk and can kind of have fun
and we can talk and can kind of have fun
and we can talk and can kind of have fun and and we hunt so that particular
and and we hunt so that particular
and and we hunt so that particular morning was beautiful it was very calm
morning was beautiful it was very calm
morning was beautiful it was very calm it was really cold and it was the sun
it was really cold and it was the sun
it was really cold and it was the sun was shining it was just a great day
was shining it was just a great day
was shining it was just a great day Steve and I have been up in our our tree
Steve and I have been up in our our tree
Steve and I have been up in our our tree stance or for the mid for the morning
stance or for the mid for the morning
stance or for the mid for the morning and had several deer come by us was
and had several deer come by us was
and had several deer come by us was really Steve’s first year of bomani and
really Steve’s first year of bomani and
really Steve’s first year of bomani and we had a nice deer a nice buck that was
we had a nice deer a nice buck that was
we had a nice deer a nice buck that was starting to come down the trail to us
starting to come down the trail to us
starting to come down the trail to us and right before that Steve looked at me
and right before that Steve looked at me
and right before that Steve looked at me and this is kind of typical of Steve and
and this is kind of typical of Steve and
and this is kind of typical of Steve and he had forgotten I forgot my release and
he had forgotten I forgot my release and
he had forgotten I forgot my release and release is the thing that you clipped a
release is the thing that you clipped a
release is the thing that you clipped a boat you know to be able to shoot it I
boat you know to be able to shoot it I
boat you know to be able to shoot it I didn’t think you know because that’s
didn’t think you know because that’s
didn’t think you know because that’s just Steve is kind of funny we’re kind
just Steve is kind of funny we’re kind
just Steve is kind of funny we’re kind of chuffin and the deer came down and
of chuffin and the deer came down and
of chuffin and the deer came down and you know stood at about 10 yards from
you know stood at about 10 yards from
you know stood at about 10 yards from Steve and we’re looking each other and
Steve and we’re looking each other and
Steve and we’re looking each other and Steve takes a shot and she was
Steve takes a shot and she was
Steve takes a shot and she was completely under the deer and you know
completely under the deer and you know
completely under the deer and you know if you know hunter sometimes that would
if you know hunter sometimes that would
if you know hunter sometimes that would be the other world for me other cry
be the other world for me other cry
be the other world for me other cry missed that deer we were laughing
missed that deer we were laughing
missed that deer we were laughing hysterically because it was funny we
hysterically because it was funny we
hysterically because it was funny we thought it was it was just great and
thought it was it was just great and
thought it was it was just great and typical of Steve so at that time frame
typical of Steve so at that time frame
typical of Steve so at that time frame it was about 10 o’clock morning decided
it was about 10 o’clock morning decided
it was about 10 o’clock morning decided we would get down out of the tree stands
we would get down out of the tree stands
we would get down out of the tree stands that we were at and would move a little
that we were at and would move a little
that we were at and would move a little further into the timber and try to catch
further into the timber and try to catch
further into the timber and try to catch what we call midday movement for deer
what we call midday movement for deer
what we call midday movement for deer especially during the week of the rut do
especially during the week of the rut do
especially during the week of the rut do you like to move around a lot especially
you like to move around a lot especially
you like to move around a lot especially midday so Steve and I went down to
midday so Steve and I went down to
midday so Steve and I went down to another ditch and Steve got in his
another ditch and Steve got in his
another ditch and Steve got in his climbing stand about 40 yards here and I
climbing stand about 40 yards here and I
climbing stand about 40 yards here and I walked down to another spot where I
walked down to another spot where I
walked down to another spot where I could see Steve and got my climbing
could see Steve and got my climbing
could see Steve and got my climbing stand on attached it to the tree and
stand on attached it to the tree and
stand on attached it to the tree and then shimmied up the tree when I got to
then shimmied up the tree when I got to
then shimmied up the tree when I got to the top of the tree I was on a hill so
the top of the tree I was on a hill so
the top of the tree I was on a hill so this way looking out where I thought the
this way looking out where I thought the
this way looking out where I thought the deer would come from which they never
deer would come from which they never
deer would come from which they never come where you think they’re going to
come where you think they’re going to
come where you think they’re going to come from it was about 10 10 feet up
come from it was about 10 10 feet up
come from it was about 10 10 feet up behind me was about 25 to 30 feet and
behind me was about 25 to 30 feet and
behind me was about 25 to 30 feet and I’ve decided that I didn’t really like
I’ve decided that I didn’t really like
I’ve decided that I didn’t really like how
how
how treestand was setting I wanted to adjust
treestand was setting I wanted to adjust
treestand was setting I wanted to adjust it I was just getting ready to attach my
it I was just getting ready to attach my
it I was just getting ready to attach my safety harness to that tree and I
safety harness to that tree and I
safety harness to that tree and I decided that way as I adjust in my
decided that way as I adjust in my
decided that way as I adjust in my stance I took the top part of my stand
stance I took the top part of my stand
stance I took the top part of my stand it’s a two-piece climbing stand and
it’s a two-piece climbing stand and
it’s a two-piece climbing stand and hooked the top moved it hooked it back
hooked the top moved it hooked it back
hooked the top moved it hooked it back and then put my weight on to move the
and then put my weight on to move the
and then put my weight on to move the bottom part with my feet when I did that
bottom part with my feet when I did that
bottom part with my feet when I did that it was apparent that I had not clipped
it was apparent that I had not clipped
it was apparent that I had not clipped the top part of my tree stand back onto
the top part of my tree stand back onto
the top part of my tree stand back onto the tree because it moved and came apart
the tree because it moved and came apart
the tree because it moved and came apart and it came apart just about that much I
and it came apart just about that much I
and it came apart just about that much I just tell people my life changed with
just tell people my life changed with
just tell people my life changed with just a couple of inches when that
just a couple of inches when that
just a couple of inches when that happened it jerked me back and my back
happened it jerked me back and my back
happened it jerked me back and my back foot went off the back of my climbing
foot went off the back of my climbing
foot went off the back of my climbing tree Stan and I fell backwards and as I
tree Stan and I fell backwards and as I
tree Stan and I fell backwards and as I fell backwards I went to grab the top
fell backwards I went to grab the top
fell backwards I went to grab the top part of the tree sandwich course wasn’t
part of the tree sandwich course wasn’t
part of the tree sandwich course wasn’t attached to the tree and I fell and I
attached to the tree and I fell and I
attached to the tree and I fell and I fell 28 feet landing on the back of my
fell 28 feet landing on the back of my
fell 28 feet landing on the back of my head now if you know 30 foot fall is
head now if you know 30 foot fall is
head now if you know 30 foot fall is considered a death fall so it’s three
considered a death fall so it’s three
considered a death fall so it’s three stories think about that so when you’re
stories think about that so when you’re
stories think about that so when you’re falling in the timber not only do you
falling in the timber not only do you
falling in the timber not only do you have to worry about the height but you
have to worry about the height but you
have to worry about the height but you also have to worry about what’s on the
also have to worry about what’s on the
also have to worry about what’s on the ground because there’s a lot of deadly
ground because there’s a lot of deadly
ground because there’s a lot of deadly things on the ground when you fall I
things on the ground when you fall I
things on the ground when you fall I fell landed completely on the back of my
fell landed completely on the back of my
fell landed completely on the back of my head and my feet and my legs came up
head and my feet and my legs came up
head and my feet and my legs came up over my head with such force that it
over my head with such force that it
over my head with such force that it completely snapped my spinal cord into
completely snapped my spinal cord into
completely snapped my spinal cord into all but severed it and and broke my back
all but severed it and and broke my back
all but severed it and and broke my back obviously pretty severe I was knocked
obviously pretty severe I was knocked
obviously pretty severe I was knocked out for probably about ten seconds I
out for probably about ten seconds I
out for probably about ten seconds I wish I was knocked out for the whole
wish I was knocked out for the whole
wish I was knocked out for the whole time but I came to fairly quickly and
time but I came to fairly quickly and
time but I came to fairly quickly and immediately I knew that something was
immediately I knew that something was
immediately I knew that something was not right I kept just panicking and I’m
not right I kept just panicking and I’m
not right I kept just panicking and I’m touch mind I’m touching my legs and
touch mind I’m touching my legs and
touch mind I’m touching my legs and something doesn’t feel right at that
something doesn’t feel right at that
something doesn’t feel right at that doesn’t feel like I’m you know touching
doesn’t feel like I’m you know touching
doesn’t feel like I’m you know touching my legs Steve my friend had just gotten
my legs Steve my friend had just gotten
my legs Steve my friend had just gotten down at his tree stand to come running
down at his tree stand to come running
down at his tree stand to come running over to me nieces will you’re fine you
over to me nieces will you’re fine you
over to me nieces will you’re fine you just broke your legs you’re fine and I
just broke your legs you’re fine and I
just broke your legs you’re fine and I told Stephen Oh Stephen I’m not fine I’m
told Stephen Oh Stephen I’m not fine I’m
told Stephen Oh Stephen I’m not fine I’m not fine at all I have I’ve broken my
not fine at all I have I’ve broken my
not fine at all I have I’ve broken my back I said something’s wrong you got to
back I said something’s wrong you got to
back I said something’s wrong you got to get you got to get somebody here I’m
get you got to get somebody here I’m
get you got to get somebody here I’m going to die not knowing really what
going to die not knowing really what
going to die not knowing really what happened I thought well
happened I thought well
happened I thought well yeah I mean I could tell something was
yeah I mean I could tell something was
yeah I mean I could tell something was severely wrong I knew I was going to die
severely wrong I knew I was going to die
severely wrong I knew I was going to die well we were smart enough to at least
well we were smart enough to at least
well we were smart enough to at least bring our cell phones with this seems
bring our cell phones with this seems
bring our cell phones with this seems smart at that time but you know Steve
smart at that time but you know Steve
smart at that time but you know Steve and I kind of cest the situation and I
and I kind of cest the situation and I
and I kind of cest the situation and I was in excruciating pain I mean just
was in excruciating pain I mean just
was in excruciating pain I mean just pain that I’ve never obviously
pain that I’ve never obviously
pain that I’ve never obviously experienced before in my life
experienced before in my life
experienced before in my life I told Steve I said look out you know
I told Steve I said look out you know
I told Steve I said look out you know I’m dying grabbing my cell phone
I’m dying grabbing my cell phone
I’m dying grabbing my cell phone Steve grabs my cell phone and I dialed
Steve grabs my cell phone and I dialed
Steve grabs my cell phone and I dialed my wife at home so that’s one of those
my wife at home so that’s one of those
my wife at home so that’s one of those calls that you’re getting you’re calling
calls that you’re getting you’re calling
calls that you’re getting you’re calling your wife honey I love you I fell out on
your wife honey I love you I fell out on
your wife honey I love you I fell out on my trium I’m going to die you know I
my trium I’m going to die you know I
my trium I’m going to die you know I love the time that we’ve had together
love the time that we’ve had together
love the time that we’ve had together can you tell the kids I love them Dustin
can you tell the kids I love them Dustin
can you tell the kids I love them Dustin Riley cart until how much I love them
Riley cart until how much I love them
Riley cart until how much I love them you know you’re crying you’re panicking
you know you’re crying you’re panicking
you know you’re crying you’re panicking you know it’s funny those things people
you know it’s funny those things people
you know it’s funny those things people think you know is your guy you’re tough
think you know is your guy you’re tough
think you know is your guy you’re tough you know guess it’s not like that at all
you know guess it’s not like that at all
you know guess it’s not like that at all you panic you don’t want to tie I don’t
you panic you don’t want to tie I don’t
you panic you don’t want to tie I don’t want I nobody wants to die but I thought
want I nobody wants to die but I thought
want I nobody wants to die but I thought I was I thought I was dying
I was I thought I was dying
I was I thought I was dying so you know there’s my wife getting a
so you know there’s my wife getting a
so you know there’s my wife getting a phone call that she still you know
phone call that she still you know
phone call that she still you know remembers to this day obviously of me
remembers to this day obviously of me
remembers to this day obviously of me telling her how much I love her live but
telling her how much I love her live but
telling her how much I love her live but I’m not going to be there at the end of
I’m not going to be there at the end of
I’m not going to be there at the end of the night I’m going to die so I hung up
the night I’m going to die so I hung up
the night I’m going to die so I hung up the phone with her because I really
the phone with her because I really
the phone with her because I really couldn’t talk anymore and Steve then
couldn’t talk anymore and Steve then
couldn’t talk anymore and Steve then told mrs. Willy I’ve called 9-1-1 I have
told mrs. Willy I’ve called 9-1-1 I have
told mrs. Willy I’ve called 9-1-1 I have to go I mean you got to leave you don’t
to go I mean you got to leave you don’t
to go I mean you got to leave you don’t leave me here alone and I says I have to
leave me here alone and I says I have to
leave me here alone and I says I have to have got to go find a place so that I
have got to go find a place so that I
have got to go find a place so that I can get the emergency personnel to come
can get the emergency personnel to come
can get the emergency personnel to come find you because we’re in the middle of
find you because we’re in the middle of
find you because we’re in the middle of timber we’re not just off the side of
timber we’re not just off the side of
timber we’re not just off the side of the road so so Steve left and as he’s
the road so so Steve left and as he’s
the road so so Steve left and as he’s walking away and almost remember this
walking away and almost remember this
walking away and almost remember this and people were like you know I don’t
and people were like you know I don’t
and people were like you know I don’t know maybe I shouldn’t tell this part
know maybe I shouldn’t tell this part
know maybe I shouldn’t tell this part story but I always do is is again I come
story but I always do is is again I come
story but I always do is is again I come back to thank you know I’m pretty
back to thank you know I’m pretty
back to thank you know I’m pretty independent person I was pretty tough
independent person I was pretty tough
independent person I was pretty tough you know and people you know you see in
you know and people you know you see in
you know and people you know you see in the movies that someone’s dying it’s
the movies that someone’s dying it’s
the movies that someone’s dying it’s like you know you’re strong it wasn’t
like you know you’re strong it wasn’t
like you know you’re strong it wasn’t like that when Steve started to leave I
like that when Steve started to leave I
like that when Steve started to leave I just absolutely panicked I started
just absolutely panicked I started
just absolutely panicked I started screaming out help me help me please God
screaming out help me help me please God
screaming out help me help me please God help me you know crying and I’m going to
help me you know crying and I’m going to
help me you know crying and I’m going to die alone and it’s very you know it was
die alone and it’s very you know it was
die alone and it’s very you know it was a very humbling moment obviously and I’m
a very humbling moment obviously and I’m
a very humbling moment obviously and I’m thinking you know this is it
thinking you know this is it
thinking you know this is it going to die so I laid there on my back
going to die so I laid there on my back
going to die so I laid there on my back and then rolled over to my to my stomach
and then rolled over to my to my stomach
and then rolled over to my to my stomach which caused a lot more excruciating
which caused a lot more excruciating
which caused a lot more excruciating pain but and then laid there just trying
pain but and then laid there just trying
pain but and then laid there just trying to focus on I guess what I was going to
to focus on I guess what I was going to
to focus on I guess what I was going to do and how I was going to get out of the
do and how I was going to get out of the
do and how I was going to get out of the situation trying to stay conscious but
situation trying to stay conscious but
situation trying to stay conscious but the best I can
the best I can
the best I can about 20 minutes later I could hear the
about 20 minutes later I could hear the
about 20 minutes later I could hear the emergency personnel coming through the
emergency personnel coming through the
emergency personnel coming through the timber and and they had found me and
timber and and they had found me and
timber and and they had found me and talked to me in you know told me they
talked to me in you know told me they
talked to me in you know told me they were going to try to try to get me out
were going to try to try to get me out
were going to try to try to get me out of there going to try to make me better
of there going to try to make me better
of there going to try to make me better and try to get me you know somewhere
and try to get me you know somewhere
and try to get me you know somewhere safe and you know at that point most of
safe and you know at that point most of
safe and you know at that point most of those folks a small town I knew all
those folks a small town I knew all
those folks a small town I knew all those people so one of the police
those people so one of the police
those people so one of the police officers was Dana another was Marc and I
officers was Dana another was Marc and I
officers was Dana another was Marc and I remember asking at one point like I said
remember asking at one point like I said
remember asking at one point like I said Dana did you bring your gun he’s like
Dana did you bring your gun he’s like
Dana did you bring your gun he’s like yeah why would you ask Madison so I want
yeah why would you ask Madison so I want
yeah why would you ask Madison so I want you in so much pain and I just don’t
you in so much pain and I just don’t
you in so much pain and I just don’t know I don’t want I just can you just
know I don’t want I just can you just
know I don’t want I just can you just take your gun out can you just shoot me
take your gun out can you just shoot me
take your gun out can you just shoot me no no we’re not going to do that we’re
no no we’re not going to do that we’re
no no we’re not going to do that we’re gonna get you out of here we get you out
gonna get you out of here we get you out
gonna get you out of here we get you out of here
of here
of here and kind of gave me a little pep talk
and kind of gave me a little pep talk
and kind of gave me a little pep talk and then you know that’s mazing else I
and then you know that’s mazing else I
and then you know that’s mazing else I don’t want to live you know say alright
don’t want to live you know say alright
don’t want to live you know say alright I want to live so so then I got really
I want to live so so then I got really
I want to live so so then I got really scared because then I heard the life
scared because then I heard the life
scared because then I heard the life flight come in I heard a helicopter come
flight come in I heard a helicopter come
flight come in I heard a helicopter come in and I realize Who I am a lot of
in and I realize Who I am a lot of
in and I realize Who I am a lot of trouble here this is going to be bad
trouble here this is going to be bad
trouble here this is going to be bad still in this day I can handle a
still in this day I can handle a
still in this day I can handle a helicopter when I hear it it’s a it just
helicopter when I hear it it’s a it just
helicopter when I hear it it’s a it just brings back bad memories but they picked
brings back bad memories but they picked
brings back bad memories but they picked me up put me on a gurney and took me
me up put me on a gurney and took me
me up put me on a gurney and took me about 400 yards through the timber to
about 400 yards through the timber to
about 400 yards through the timber to get me to an open field where the
get me to an open field where the
get me to an open field where the helicopter had landed so we flew up to
helicopter had landed so we flew up to
helicopter had landed so we flew up to Iowa City keeping in mind that I already
Iowa City keeping in mind that I already
Iowa City keeping in mind that I already called my wife and I told her what’s
called my wife and I told her what’s
called my wife and I told her what’s going on so they were waiting there for
going on so they were waiting there for
going on so they were waiting there for me when I came off of the off of the
me when I came off of the off of the
me when I came off of the off of the helicopter I remember as my wife and my
helicopter I remember as my wife and my
helicopter I remember as my wife and my in-laws and then and then another friend
in-laws and then and then another friend
in-laws and then and then another friend and you know they were there my wife
and you know they were there my wife
and you know they were there my wife came over and and I was still you know I
came over and and I was still you know I
came over and and I was still you know I still I did want to live but I was still
still I did want to live but I was still
still I did want to live but I was still not sure what was going to go on so I
not sure what was going to go on so I
not sure what was going to go on so I was still really in bad spirits and
was still really in bad spirits and
was still really in bad spirits and remember she came over and she kind of
remember she came over and she kind of
remember she came over and she kind of leaned down to the gurney you know and
leaned down to the gurney you know and
leaned down to the gurney you know and said a few things that that I’ll never
said a few things that that I’ll never
said a few things that that I’ll never repeat repeat just because it’s just
repeat repeat just because it’s just
repeat repeat just because it’s just something that’s between her and I but
something that’s between her and I but
something that’s between her and I but you know and it really helped and I went
you know and it really helped and I went
you know and it really helped and I went in for about a seven-hour surgery
in for about a seven-hour surgery
in for about a seven-hour surgery keep in mind doctors are there they’re
keep in mind doctors are there they’re
keep in mind doctors are there they’re realists they’re pretty
realists they’re pretty
realists they’re pretty one and I’m ever saying I ever going to
one and I’m ever saying I ever going to
one and I’m ever saying I ever going to walk again no means it’s that simple no
walk again no means it’s that simple no
walk again no means it’s that simple no you’re not you know you’re used nearly
you’re not you know you’re used nearly
you’re not you know you’re used nearly severed your spinal cord so bad or good
severed your spinal cord so bad or good
severed your spinal cord so bad or good I don’t know frankly I think it’s good
I don’t know frankly I think it’s good
I don’t know frankly I think it’s good because you get on with your life at
because you get on with your life at
because you get on with your life at that point you know I just said okay
that point you know I just said okay
that point you know I just said okay let’s get let’s get this done let’s get
let’s get let’s get this done let’s get
let’s get let’s get this done let’s get it through it so I can get back to my
it through it so I can get back to my
it through it so I can get back to my life and back to the people that I care
life and back to the people that I care
life and back to the people that I care for so I went through that surgery came
for so I went through that surgery came
for so I went through that surgery came out and to make a long story short on
out and to make a long story short on
out and to make a long story short on that side then you go into rehab
that side then you go into rehab
that side then you go into rehab so it’s interesting thing about rehab is
so it’s interesting thing about rehab is
so it’s interesting thing about rehab is I don’t already have four I mean I
I don’t already have four I mean I
I don’t already have four I mean I really don’t understand I’m going what
really don’t understand I’m going what
really don’t understand I’m going what are we doing what we’re going to teach
are we doing what we’re going to teach
are we doing what we’re going to teach me everything that you don’t know how to
me everything that you don’t know how to
me everything that you don’t know how to do now how did you everything you know
do now how did you everything you know
do now how did you everything you know they don’t know you don’t you don’t get
they don’t know you don’t you don’t get
they don’t know you don’t you don’t get it so it was I didn’t know how to they
it so it was I didn’t know how to they
it so it was I didn’t know how to they got me on a table laid me down table and
got me on a table laid me down table and
got me on a table laid me down table and said we’re gonna teach out rollover what
said we’re gonna teach out rollover what
said we’re gonna teach out rollover what are you talking about it and I could not
are you talking about it and I could not
are you talking about it and I could not roll over and it just hit me you know
roll over and it just hit me you know
roll over and it just hit me you know I’m like this is this is terrible I
I’m like this is this is terrible I
I’m like this is this is terrible I could I couldn’t roll over I couldn’t
could I couldn’t roll over I couldn’t
could I couldn’t roll over I couldn’t sit up on my own I couldn’t get into
sit up on my own I couldn’t get into
sit up on my own I couldn’t get into anything on my own I have nurses in out
anything on my own I have nurses in out
anything on my own I have nurses in out of my room the folks that do it the
of my room the folks that do it the
of my room the folks that do it the occupational therapists the physical
occupational therapists the physical
occupational therapists the physical therapists these were little girls
therapists these were little girls
therapists these were little girls I mean their little gals I mean they’re
I mean their little gals I mean they’re
I mean their little gals I mean they’re like this big and they’re mean and as
like this big and they’re mean and as
like this big and they’re mean and as nasty as you’re ever gonna find anybody
nasty as you’re ever gonna find anybody
nasty as you’re ever gonna find anybody and I mean that the most awesome way in
and I mean that the most awesome way in
and I mean that the most awesome way in the world and they just kick your butt
the world and they just kick your butt
the world and they just kick your butt get out of bed wake up let’s go you can
get out of bed wake up let’s go you can
get out of bed wake up let’s go you can do this come on you can you can animal
do this come on you can you can animal
do this come on you can you can animal and I cried they cry you you know you
and I cried they cry you you know you
and I cried they cry you you know you need to have a hard day they’d have a
need to have a hard day they’d have a
need to have a hard day they’d have a hard day but they never let you quit
hard day but they never let you quit
hard day but they never let you quit they never let you stop you know and
they never let you stop you know and
they never let you stop you know and they would encourage you so I went
they would encourage you so I went
they would encourage you so I went through that I had to learn how to set
through that I had to learn how to set
through that I had to learn how to set up I had to learn how to roll over at
up I had to learn how to roll over at
up I had to learn how to roll over at learn how to get the chair out of a
learn how to get the chair out of a
learn how to get the chair out of a chair for me just things you just don’t
chair for me just things you just don’t
chair for me just things you just don’t think about you got to remember just
think about you got to remember just
think about you got to remember just like seven eight ten days before that I
like seven eight ten days before that I
like seven eight ten days before that I was able body I mean I did everything on
was able body I mean I did everything on
was able body I mean I did everything on my own I mean I just and it was just a
my own I mean I just and it was just a
my own I mean I just and it was just a matter of inches I’m a guy used to set
matter of inches I’m a guy used to set
matter of inches I’m a guy used to set up a night my wife and I would try we
up a night my wife and I would try we
up a night my wife and I would try we talked in the room my gosh I was just
talked in the room my gosh I was just
talked in the room my gosh I was just hunting so yeah I was just kind of how
hunting so yeah I was just kind of how
hunting so yeah I was just kind of how did this happen I was just telling them
did this happen I was just telling them
did this happen I was just telling them and she would usually just tell me I
and she would usually just tell me I
and she would usually just tell me I quit me a baby and she’s a tough gal she
quit me a baby and she’s a tough gal she
quit me a baby and she’s a tough gal she has to be to be married to me but you
has to be to be married to me but you
has to be to be married to me but you know it’s I wasn’t ready for that so I
know it’s I wasn’t ready for that so I
know it’s I wasn’t ready for that so I went through about three months of rehab
went through about three months of rehab
went through about three months of rehab and you know things like that made me a
and you know things like that made me a
and you know things like that made me a lot better obviously it went back to
lot better obviously it went back to
lot better obviously it went back to work
work
work at the time I was store direct at the
at the time I was store direct at the
at the time I was store direct at the Mount Pleasant IV at that time and I
Mount Pleasant IV at that time and I
Mount Pleasant IV at that time and I want to get back to work
want to get back to work
want to get back to work so three months after rehab somewhere
so three months after rehab somewhere
so three months after rehab somewhere around January so going back part time
around January so going back part time
around January so going back part time work went into three days a day you know
work went into three days a day you know
work went into three days a day you know it’s interesting because I had to
it’s interesting because I had to
it’s interesting because I had to rethink everything there also how do I
rethink everything there also how do I
rethink everything there also how do I check how do I say how do I you know
check how do I say how do I you know
check how do I say how do I you know what what do people think you know those
what what do people think you know those
what what do people think you know those kind of things and really wasn’t that
kind of things and really wasn’t that
kind of things and really wasn’t that big of a deal I was a lot faster because
big of a deal I was a lot faster because
big of a deal I was a lot faster because you can’t keep up with two wheels I can
you can’t keep up with two wheels I can
you can’t keep up with two wheels I can fly around that story like there’s no
fly around that story like there’s no
fly around that story like there’s no tomorrow
tomorrow
tomorrow yes I’ve run over a few people that
yes I’ve run over a few people that
yes I’ve run over a few people that happens that happens it does but I also
happens that happens it does but I also
happens that happens it does but I also realized I was a very good to either
realized I was a very good to either
realized I was a very good to either you’ve seen the two of theirs in the
you’ve seen the two of theirs in the
you’ve seen the two of theirs in the grocery stores you put boxes home well
grocery stores you put boxes home well
grocery stores you put boxes home well they just set boxes on me somebody would
they just set boxes on me somebody would
they just set boxes on me somebody would kind of push me from behind we go drop
kind of push me from behind we go drop
kind of push me from behind we go drop some stuff in the aisles and then we’d
some stuff in the aisles and then we’d
some stuff in the aisles and then we’d stock so that’s just the way it was so
stock so that’s just the way it was so
stock so that’s just the way it was so really at that point once they enter
really at that point once they enter
really at that point once they enter back I kind of entered in to that life
back I kind of entered in to that life
back I kind of entered in to that life you know of a person with a disability
you know of a person with a disability
you know of a person with a disability and I’d ask you just to take a few
and I’d ask you just to take a few
and I’d ask you just to take a few minutes a few seconds and ask yourself
minutes a few seconds and ask yourself
minutes a few seconds and ask yourself what your opinion or your perception of
what your opinion or your perception of
what your opinion or your perception of someone with a disability is and be
someone with a disability is and be
someone with a disability is and be honest be honest with yourself because I
honest be honest with yourself because I
honest be honest with yourself because I was before my accident I had my opinion
was before my accident I had my opinion
was before my accident I had my opinion and I don’t know that it was a good
and I don’t know that it was a good
and I don’t know that it was a good opinion necessarily for whatever reason
opinion necessarily for whatever reason
opinion necessarily for whatever reason but you know what that perception is
but you know what that perception is
but you know what that perception is probably wrong I know the perception for
probably wrong I know the perception for
probably wrong I know the perception for me was wrong and it’s changed its
me was wrong and it’s changed its
me was wrong and it’s changed its changed a lot we are independent and we
changed a lot we are independent and we
changed a lot we are independent and we are more than our disability and we’re
are more than our disability and we’re
are more than our disability and we’re more than just that guy in wheelchair
more than just that guy in wheelchair
more than just that guy in wheelchair okay so that’s what I’ve become to a
okay so that’s what I’ve become to a
okay so that’s what I’ve become to a certain extent and that kind of
certain extent and that kind of
certain extent and that kind of wheelchair you know the guy in the
wheelchair you know the guy in the
wheelchair you know the guy in the wheelchair you know the guy IV the runs
wheelchair you know the guy IV the runs
wheelchair you know the guy IV the runs you know the hidys and wheelchair you
you know the hidys and wheelchair you
you know the hidys and wheelchair you know the guy that coaches that team he’s
know the guy that coaches that team he’s
know the guy that coaches that team he’s that team you know from Mount Pleasant
that team you know from Mount Pleasant
that team you know from Mount Pleasant the guy in the wheelchair and that’s
the guy in the wheelchair and that’s
the guy in the wheelchair and that’s that’s what it is that’s pretty much
that’s what it is that’s pretty much
that’s what it is that’s pretty much what it is I like that but it is what it
what it is I like that but it is what it
what it is I like that but it is what it is I also talked it at several hundred
is I also talked it at several hundred
is I also talked it at several hundred safety courses you think well yeah
safety courses you think well yeah
safety courses you think well yeah you’re a good example I don’t take I’m
you’re a good example I don’t take I’m
you’re a good example I don’t take I’m kind of the I tell you what not to do
kind of the I tell you what not to do
kind of the I tell you what not to do kind of deal but I always tell the group
kind of deal but I always tell the group
kind of deal but I always tell the group I’m like I don’t like doing this because
I’m like I don’t like doing this because
I’m like I don’t like doing this because I’m that guy that’s the guy that fell
I’m that guy that’s the guy that fell
I’m that guy that’s the guy that fell out of the tree stand that’s together
out of the tree stand that’s together
out of the tree stand that’s together and there’s a lot more to me and there’s
and there’s a lot more to me and there’s
and there’s a lot more to me and there’s a lot more to another person that is in
a lot more to another person that is in
a lot more to another person that is in a wheelchair a lot more
a wheelchair a lot more
a wheelchair a lot more to another person that maybe has a
to another person that maybe has a
to another person that maybe has a different kind of disability whether
different kind of disability whether
different kind of disability whether it’s physical or non-physical it doesn’t
it’s physical or non-physical it doesn’t
it’s physical or non-physical it doesn’t really matter there’s a lot more to that
really matter there’s a lot more to that
really matter there’s a lot more to that person then and there’s no reason to be
person then and there’s no reason to be
person then and there’s no reason to be scared of them either so I always look
scared of them either so I always look
scared of them either so I always look at it by the time I get to work at seven
at it by the time I get to work at seven
at it by the time I get to work at seven I’ve already been through more than most
I’ve already been through more than most
I’ve already been through more than most people have you know for that day and I
people have you know for that day and I
people have you know for that day and I think people with disability have so
think people with disability have so
think people with disability have so many things offer on that side of it
many things offer on that side of it
many things offer on that side of it because they’re mentally strong not only
because they’re mentally strong not only
because they’re mentally strong not only tough I mean I think it’s just nothing
tough I mean I think it’s just nothing
tough I mean I think it’s just nothing nothing short of amazing we have amazing
nothing short of amazing we have amazing
nothing short of amazing we have amazing determination mental toughness
determination mental toughness
determination mental toughness resilience to drive you know and that’s
resilience to drive you know and that’s
resilience to drive you know and that’s just what it takes to get out of bed in
just what it takes to get out of bed in
just what it takes to get out of bed in the morning I’ve talked to people all
the morning I’ve talked to people all
the morning I’ve talked to people all over the place that have disabilities I
over the place that have disabilities I
over the place that have disabilities I was talking to someone that’s not have
was talking to someone that’s not have
was talking to someone that’s not have some you know we discussed it I still go
some you know we discussed it I still go
some you know we discussed it I still go places sometimes or someone look at my
places sometimes or someone look at my
places sometimes or someone look at my life and ask what does you want to eat
life and ask what does you want to eat
life and ask what does you want to eat you know manhattan’s everyone’s wrong
you know manhattan’s everyone’s wrong
you know manhattan’s everyone’s wrong you know which is funny I don’t let it
you know which is funny I don’t let it
you know which is funny I don’t let it bother me so much as is I used to but
bother me so much as is I used to but
bother me so much as is I used to but I’ll give you another analogy to so we
I’ll give you another analogy to so we
I’ll give you another analogy to so we discussed last night also about a door
discussed last night also about a door
discussed last night also about a door so so when I’m going somewhere I see
so so when I’m going somewhere I see
so so when I’m going somewhere I see somebody and they open the door for me
somebody and they open the door for me
somebody and they open the door for me here’s my response in my mind like that
here’s my response in my mind like that
here’s my response in my mind like that Kentico you don’t think I get to door
Kentico you don’t think I get to door
Kentico you don’t think I get to door just cuz I’m a little chair and get the
just cuz I’m a little chair and get the
just cuz I’m a little chair and get the door when you talk of this ridiculous I
door when you talk of this ridiculous I
door when you talk of this ridiculous I get the door then guess what if they
get the door then guess what if they
get the door then guess what if they don’t get the door like cheese you can’t
don’t get the door like cheese you can’t
don’t get the door like cheese you can’t you’re for diner wheelchair
you’re for diner wheelchair
you’re for diner wheelchair why would you do that you know it’s
why would you do that you know it’s
why would you do that you know it’s funny I mean it’s funny because it’ll
funny I mean it’s funny because it’ll
funny I mean it’s funny because it’ll get me all riled up and give me give me
get me all riled up and give me give me
get me all riled up and give me give me whatever and you get a lot of stares you
whatever and you get a lot of stares you
whatever and you get a lot of stares you do a lot of stares and I talked to the
do a lot of stares and I talked to the
do a lot of stares and I talked to the Youth Leadership Foundation which is a
Youth Leadership Foundation which is a
Youth Leadership Foundation which is a bunch of high school kids at the college
bunch of high school kids at the college
bunch of high school kids at the college gives it and that there with
gives it and that there with
gives it and that there with disabilities Memphis but whatever
disabilities Memphis but whatever
disabilities Memphis but whatever happens to be and I explained to them
happens to be and I explained to them
happens to be and I explained to them that once you really realize what
that once you really realize what
that once you really realize what they’re looking at it’s not really I
they’re looking at it’s not really I
they’re looking at it’s not really I mean some people look and it’s not a
mean some people look and it’s not a
mean some people look and it’s not a good look and those people you just leg
good look and those people you just leg
good look and those people you just leg will you look at it they just freaked
will you look at it they just freaked
will you look at it they just freaked out enough but most people you look at
out enough but most people you look at
out enough but most people you look at they’re looking at something I look at
they’re looking at something I look at
they’re looking at something I look at my wheelchair most the time they’re
my wheelchair most the time they’re
my wheelchair most the time they’re looking at my wheelchair it’s
looking at my wheelchair it’s
looking at my wheelchair it’s fascinating to it it is pretty I hate it
fascinating to it it is pretty I hate it
fascinating to it it is pretty I hate it but we kind of got a good relationship I
but we kind of got a good relationship I
but we kind of got a good relationship I mean you know we we we can’t try to take
mean you know we we we can’t try to take
mean you know we we we can’t try to take care of each other but that’s a lot of
care of each other but that’s a lot of
care of each other but that’s a lot of times what they’re looking at I have a
times what they’re looking at I have a
times what they’re looking at I have a truck and it’s it’s got an amazing an
truck and it’s it’s got an amazing an
truck and it’s it’s got an amazing an amazing lift on it or both the doors go
amazing lift on it or both the doors go
amazing lift on it or both the doors go out and it’s a spectacle in fact it’s
out and it’s a spectacle in fact it’s
out and it’s a spectacle in fact it’s such a spectacle a little my kids are
such a spectacle a little my kids are
such a spectacle a little my kids are with me and I
with me and I
with me and I don’t they hit the button my daughter
don’t they hit the button my daughter
don’t they hit the button my daughter will go I thought that because everybody
will go I thought that because everybody
will go I thought that because everybody starting with you know and I don’t let
starting with you know and I don’t let
starting with you know and I don’t let the body because it is it’s cool
the body because it is it’s cool
the body because it is it’s cool something you never see it for what is
something you never see it for what is
something you never see it for what is well there’s a chance you know for some
well there’s a chance you know for some
well there’s a chance you know for some education what is it that come from what
education what is it that come from what
education what is it that come from what so dope what’s it all about is how do
so dope what’s it all about is how do
so dope what’s it all about is how do you drive tried with my hands here’s how
you drive tried with my hands here’s how
you drive tried with my hands here’s how it works I mean it’s just there’s so
it works I mean it’s just there’s so
it works I mean it’s just there’s so many incredible opportunities on that
many incredible opportunities on that
many incredible opportunities on that side of it but it’s but it’s interesting
side of it but it’s but it’s interesting
side of it but it’s but it’s interesting how those those perceptions go on and
how those those perceptions go on and
how those those perceptions go on and I’ll give you an example just kind of
I’ll give you an example just kind of
I’ll give you an example just kind of day in the life too close and I what
day in the life too close and I what
day in the life too close and I what I’ve got is a top ten list I went to the
I’ve got is a top ten list I went to the
I’ve got is a top ten list I went to the doctor one time and again that’s a
doctor one time and again that’s a
doctor one time and again that’s a personal goal the doctor all the time in
personal goal the doctor all the time in
personal goal the doctor all the time in fact my doctor is hounds me all the time
fact my doctor is hounds me all the time
fact my doctor is hounds me all the time you need to come in and see me what’s
you need to come in and see me what’s
you need to come in and see me what’s wrong you need to come in so I’m busy
wrong you need to come in so I’m busy
wrong you need to come in so I’m busy doc I don’t want to come in there he
doc I don’t want to come in there he
doc I don’t want to come in there he orders I don’t want to come in so but
orders I don’t want to come in so but
orders I don’t want to come in so but this is my top ten list I went to a
this is my top ten list I went to a
this is my top ten list I went to a place and for the doc for doctors point
place and for the doc for doctors point
place and for the doc for doctors point in in about ten minutes must just been
in in about ten minutes must just been
in in about ten minutes must just been the day but a man just a million people
the day but a man just a million people
the day but a man just a million people you know saying things and I kind of the
you know saying things and I kind of the
you know saying things and I kind of the top ten list but but number ten while I
top ten list but but number ten while I
top ten list but but number ten while I was there was you better slow down
was there was you better slow down
was there was you better slow down you’re going to get a speeding ticket
you’re going to get a speeding ticket
you’re going to get a speeding ticket I heard that three times three times
I heard that three times three times
I heard that three times three times that day number number nine so how long
that day number number nine so how long
that day number number nine so how long you been crippled that’s a new one not
you been crippled that’s a new one not
you been crippled that’s a new one not very long you know sure wish I could
very long you know sure wish I could
very long you know sure wish I could drive around one of those things all day
drive around one of those things all day
drive around one of those things all day long hey be my guest
long hey be my guest
long hey be my guest be my guest bless your heart eat poor
be my guest bless your heart eat poor
be my guest bless your heart eat poor thing here that number six is how did
thing here that number six is how did
thing here that number six is how did you get here I mean like I drove is that
you get here I mean like I drove is that
you get here I mean like I drove is that safe you drive you drive yeah yeah I can
safe you drive you drive yeah yeah I can
safe you drive you drive yeah yeah I can drive
drive
drive number five is I have a friend in
number five is I have a friend in
number five is I have a friend in Arkansas in a wheelchair maybe you know
Arkansas in a wheelchair maybe you know
Arkansas in a wheelchair maybe you know him
him
him or that yep I know everybody in the
or that yep I know everybody in the
or that yep I know everybody in the country in the wheelchair everybody so
country in the wheelchair everybody so
country in the wheelchair everybody so number four what’s wrong with you
number four what’s wrong with you
number four what’s wrong with you nothing I just do this for the good
nothing I just do this for the good
nothing I just do this for the good parking good seat number three do you
parking good seat number three do you
parking good seat number three do you need help out to your car well how the
need help out to your car well how the
need help out to your car well how the heck do you think I got in here not that
heck do you think I got in here not that
heck do you think I got in here not that I said some of these I did say to those
I said some of these I did say to those
I said some of these I did say to those folks that some I didn’t obviously but
folks that some I didn’t obviously but
folks that some I didn’t obviously but number two was one of my favorite ones
number two was one of my favorite ones
number two was one of my favorite ones it wasn’t number long but it was number
it wasn’t number long but it was number
it wasn’t number long but it was number number two was good did you come that
number two was good did you come that
number two was good did you come that big out big bus out front with the rest
big out big bus out front with the rest
big out big bus out front with the rest of the wheelchair folk nope I didn’t
of the wheelchair folk nope I didn’t
of the wheelchair folk nope I didn’t necessarily I didn’t see a big bus out
necessarily I didn’t see a big bus out
necessarily I didn’t see a big bus out there and number one I get this awesome
there and number one I get this awesome
there and number one I get this awesome but it’s great to see you out about I
but it’s great to see you out about I
but it’s great to see you out about I yeah yeah you know the home that they
yeah yeah you know the home that they
yeah yeah you know the home that they keep me out somebody left the cage open
keep me out somebody left the cage open
keep me out somebody left the cage open and I got out set but they’re looking
and I got out set but they’re looking
and I got out set but they’re looking for me thank you have a great day
”
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