Never to be Expected
The journey of life is both adventurous and unpredictable.
There are so many things I want to do and so many things I have left behind.
I don’t know where I’m going or what I will become;
The road I have taken may not be the best path
Or it may not be the road to success,
All I hope is that it’s the road to somewhere.
A Drive-By Rolling
Disability: Something that hinders a person from completing normal, everyday tasks.
For me, this word has become all too familiar in my vocabulary and I have been trying to understand its meaning for a long time. An unfortunate illness on September of 1997 made me a quadriplegic and my life was headed in a whole new direction. I have been in a wheelchair for 11 years and it is amazing how many things are brought to your attention once your point of view is lowered a couple of feet. The views of beer bellies and six-packs increase dramatically and the previously altitudinal-challenged first graders lick their chops at the sight of a new play toy. My wheelchair appears like a moving jungle jim and they can’t wait for recess. As I became accustomed to my new surroundings, one glaring problem has reared its ugly head towards my direction.
It all started on a beautiful, sunny weekend afternoon as I drove through the maze of the mall parking lot looking for a space to park. Isle after isle, the spaces were filled with every make of car imaginable. Frantically, I drove in circles looking for a good spot for my Ford van. I am in a wheelchair, so my search was greatly decreased; my van was way to big to fit in those “compact” spaces. As I looked through the sea of faded Honda Civics and shiny, freshly waxed Cadillac Escalades, my patience began to wear thin. Finally, I arrived at the front of the store and headed to the disabled parking area. To my dismay, all the spots were full with other vehicles. “No problem,” I said to myself; I knew that the mall would be packed. When I began passing by this red Dodge Ram, I noticed that a handicap license plate or a disabled placard were nowhere in sight.
Keep up with me on Twitter!
So I have found a new tech obsession.
Twitter.com.
Twitter is a website that lets you follow friends and family by reading their posts, or “twits,” online. I often times find myself adding updates throughout the day from my phone. The site is very cool and user-friendly; not to mention very addicting!
Here’s my twitter page so you can stay up to date with me and my adventures!
“Through My Eyes” – Part Three
Here’s the final part of my short film. Hope you enjoy it!
“Through My Eyes” – Part One
Here is part one of a short film I made for my English Class during my senior year of high school. It’s basically about me and my experiences while I was in the hospital. Hope you enjoy it!
Check back later for parts two and three.
Footage of Me Playing Power Soccer
Here is a video of me playing power soccer for the Arizona Heat at a previous tournament. Enjoy!
The 2008 USPSA National Tournament is a Hit!
As I rolled my way through the double doors, I found myself surrounded by wheelchairs. More than 100 people in electric wheelchairs made their way around me as I stared in awe at what was before me.
Normally, when someone sees so many chairs in one place, you expect hospital beds, I.V. poles and ventilators to not be far behind.
But this was far from the case.
Instead of hearing orders from nurses and doctors, I heard cheers from coaches and fans. Instead of staring intently at heart monitors, I quickly glanced at the huge, electric scoreboards. Instead of feeling somber, I was filled with joy and excitement. So what was I witnessing?
It was the 2008 USPSA Power Soccer National Tournament.
Held this past June at the Suwanee Sports Academy near Atlanta, GA, this year’s tournament saw eight division one and eight division two squads fighting for national bragging rights and a 2008 USPSA Championship.
Opening Weekend for the Cards!
The view is awesome from my seats.
The Arizona Cardinals have their first home game of the ‘08 season this weekend. I’ll be there rooting them on in the North Endzone. Take down the Dolphins!
I hope Drew Rosenhaus is done putting bad mojo on Anquan Boldin.
Shake, Rattle and Roll-Over my Prom Date
Me and my date before the prom.
She was one of the most popular girls in school. I was a shy, quiet student. She was a mainstay in our high school cheerleading squad. I was a mainstay in our school computer lab. Lindsey and I were on opposite ends of the popularity food chain, but by the end of the school year, she would be my date to the senior prom. It’s quite surreal as to how it all happened, but I’ll start at the beginning…
