LIFE'S GREAT, I'M WALKING!!!

[472 R/T SE]

Hello everyone.

Quick set-up.
I crashed my Banshee day after Turkey Day '03 avoiding my best friend, who had just crashed real hard in front of me.   I had no feeling and couldn't move anything from the waist down.  My bowel and bladder will likely stay paralyzed.  The surgeon said I'd never walk again.






Fast forward today
Well, I started new therapy a couple weeks ago with intentions of being in it thru this year and into spring 3 days a week.   My first day of trying to walk netted me less than 10 feet and some serious doubt I'm sure by my therapist.   I told him what I thought I was capable of so he had to be rolling his eyes watching me right about then.   
Anyhow, TODAY WAS MY LAST DAY!!  !!!!!



My goal was to walk and be in shape by Carlisle.  One down. 
I seen that pic of Ron and it really inspired me to get my upper body to where I was and then some.  I need my upper body in better shape to help me when I get old(er).

Some of my excercises are pretty tough on my back and me, but what gets me is when I take a step with my left foot I have to move the RIGHT arm crutch ahead.  Think about it, when you walk you want the arm of the leading foot to move forward.  I still have my problems linking my brain and body functions up and have to stop to think about it sometimes.   It's like I'm re-training my brain, hard to explain.
Even the simplest stuff is so easy for (able bodied) people to take for granted!
 

BUT I'm walking with my forearm crutches, up to 100 feet nonstop.  I just get tired and out of breath now, and my hands aren't wearing down near as fast.   I've learned to use my legs now versus doing so much with arms and hands.      I'm able to stand up with ease now too, been working on free standing.  My daughter and I tap a balloon back and forth with me trying to build balance.  I can last about 5-8 seconds before falling backwards.  But hey it's a start.



Why post all this here?

Hopefully I can help someone.   
If you think life's more than you can handle.................. you can't give up, no matter what you're facing.    You can accomplish almost anything if you put you mind to it.
Don't let others plan your future.  Tell the naysayers to bite the big one.  You are in charge of your own destiny. 

God Bless and Happy Holidays.  Mike.   

[6pkrunner]

Wow! That's great news Mike. So its on your own pegs by Carlisle? Terrific goal. Again congrats!

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Congratulations - that's wonderful news and a truly inspiring story.

What's next?  Gonna be running marathons by 2009?

[GTX]

Woohoo!!

Congrats, seriously!
Walking is something that we all take for granted and going through that is a hellish ordeal and you are right, never give up.

Post a video of you walking ( and running) at Carlisle.



-Dave

[Lowprofile]

That is unbelievably great news!  You are an inspiration to us all Mike.

[ChargerBill]

Mike, that's incredible news...I bet you're feeling pretty good. Sounds like you have some hard work ahead of you, but it also sounds like you have a lot of heart...I have no doubt that you'll make it. Thanks for sharing your story and God bless you and yours.

[Chris G.]

Post a video of you walking ( and running) at Carlisle.

Don't worry Dave, he will be staying next door to us in Carlisle, and we we'll tell you how great he's doing.

Mike, great news brother! Take it one step at a time. There's no need to rush it. You da man!

[TruckDriver]

That is unbelievably great news!   You are an inspiration to us all Mike.

That's really cool Mike! Way to go!

[Johnny SixPack]

That f*ck*n' rocks, Mike!

Can't imagine how great that must feel.

Your determination is most definitely an inspiration to all of us.

[bull]

Very cool. I'm happy for you. I hope you keep it up and keep getting stronger.

[Recharger]

That's awesome news, Mike, congratulations!!!  Before you know it you'll be after 4-speeds again!   

[694spdRT]

That's awesome news, Mike, congratulations!!!   Before you know it you'll be after 4-speeds again!     

  That is great news AllBlue! Your positive attitude will get you through this. I hope you kept the number of the guy that bought your old R/T...you might need it back before long.  

[Duey]

Mike, that is absolutey awesome.  What a perfect example of perserverance, dedication and courage!!!

Keep up the fantastic work!

Cheers,
Duey

[Charger_Fan]

That's simply FANTASTIC!!
I've got an ear-to-ear grin on my face here!
That's great news! I just know you'll keep improving & will be getting around with (more) ease in no time at all!

Very inspiring stuff, buddy!

[71Charger500]

That's absolutely incredibly man.  Congratulations!   

[dads_69]

Congradulations! I can't imagine how you must feel, very emotional I bet, keep up the good work.

Mark

[TheGhost]

Excellent news!

[*]

What Great News! But for some reason I knew you would. I can honestly say I am tearing up because I am so happy for you.
You are so correct.... Life's Great.

[Chryco Psycho]

Awesome Mike
Merry Christmas !!!

[8WHEELER]

HEY DOC     JUST FOR YOU 

Dan

[psykicpup]

That just wonderful - congratulations

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Great news Mike!

Keep us updated on your progress

[Charger4404spd]

Wow, what a great Christmas gift. Keep that great positive attitude.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !

[greenpigs]

  You need to treat yourself to a 4 speed ride..again..this much you owe yourself. The will to achieve means much more than medicine will ever admit.

[TeeWJay426]

Great news! Keep up the good work! See ya at Carlisle!

[nh_mopar_fan]

That is great news.

[bluesfool]

Congratulations!! Your story is definitely an inspiration and you have every reason to be proud of your (VERY) hard work, dedication, and success. I hope it goes without saying that we are all behind you and look forward to the next update. I'll be keeping an eye out for you at Carlisle!

[triple_green]

This is great news. Keep up the great work!!!

I always knew you had perserverence!

Mark

[Blown70]

Good job and attitude keep going.

Tom

[NHCharger]

Wow. I remember your posts after the accident on the old board. You have covered a lot of ground in just 2 years. Congrats on the great progress.

['CUDA360]

Dittos all !!

That sounds great man. Good luck 

[Shakey]

Say what you want folks, but that story put a tear in my eye!

[Old Moparz]

That's F**k'in cool!!

Glad to hear that Mike, see you in Carlisle.

Bob

[firefighter3931]

Outstanding work Mike ! You are an inspiration to all of us and i am really, really, REALLY so happy to hear this progress. Your "prove them wrong" attitude will get you through this and make you stronger mentally and spiritually. Carlisle is gonna be a blast and i'm sooooo looking forward to meeting you and all the other members who'll be there. Merry Christmas bro and to the ALLBLUE crew who support you on this challenging adventure ! 

Ron

[Spartan]

wow, that is very cool.  Congrats!

[DFS68_Charger]

Way to go!!!!

God Bless.

DFS

[Vainglory, Esq.]

By the way, I think I'll be able to make it to this year's Carlisle.   We'll take a stroll.  

[89MOPAR]

 This is going to make it a lot harder to find you at ALMS in Portland , if I have to look beyond the handicapped seating.......Excellent news Mike !

[Troy]

Great news! I think I walked about 30 miles at Carlisle last year so can you bring the wheelchair for me?

Troy

[TruckDriver]

Great news! I think I walked about 30 miles at Carlisle last year so can you bring the wheelchair for me?

Troy

[General_01]

Excellent news!!! Your hard work and drive are paying off. Congrats.

[Silver R/T]

wow thats great, congratulations. It would be great to walk again

[charger_72_318]

HEY DOC        JUST FOR YOU  

Dan

Great news Mike, I'm really happy for you  

Aldo

[Charger Aficionado]

  Wow Nice Christmas Present a little early...  KEEP IT UP!!!

[BigBlackDodge]

In a world full of bad news it's great to hear that you're making some good news!!!


BBD

[472 R/T SE]

Thanks everyone.  I do remember people asking for updates when I got hurt and figured no better time than now.

I'm real slow at walking for now, but the pain's not nearly as unbearable as it once was.  The pain kept me out of therapy and trying to walk before.
I just would like to be able to jump in my car and go somewhere without having to dismantle my chair and drag it along. 
I'm hoping to be able to look at cars' engines and interiors, then get back in the chair next year at the shows.  I hated not being able to look at cars I hadn't seen before, one of the reasons I didn't go to many shows.
It's amazing, what got me started this year was working on my Charger.  I purposely parked my car so I had to walk the length of it to get to my MAC box.  I'd load up my pockets with tools and away I'd go.  Now that I think about it, it's my weighted down legs that made me have to try harder to walk that very well may have helped?  I know when I got to the other end my shorts were practically down to my knees.
 
I look forward to meeting everyone this summer.   Actually looking more forward to it than the coming holidays.  I can't help it if my priorities have taken some time off, . 

Now if I could just get someone over to mow my yard.   THANKS for the uplifting responses.  Mike.

[Charger1970]

OMG that is wonderful! I don't think you realize what a wonderful gift you've given by sharing such an inspiring story. Suddenly I feel like a million dollars.

[Mopar440+6]

Mike, that made my day a whole lot better! Hearing about you making it through this ordeal makes my problems (and everyone elses Im sure) seem a whole lot smaller. This is great news and just in time for Christmas! God bless and God speed! I look forward to shaking your hand at Chryslers at Carlisle 2006!

[8WHEELER]

I hear you Mike 
Kind of a bummer to go to a show and the cars are so tight the wheelchair will not fit between them 
Hard to see the engine bay very well and forget the interior. Hey are you taking me to Carlisle  never been.

Dan

[Mefirst]

  Great News.. I wish you strenght to keep up with the hard work ahead of you.. -You can do it !

/Tom

[472 R/T SE]

Hey Dan.  I stick the camera up in the air and hope for the best.  That's what is nice about digital camera's, just delete the 9 out of 10 (that's me) that you screwed up.


I'd love to take you to Carlisle Dan.  I need someone to take me tho.
So far Tom's going with me and no one else has committed.  I wouldn't mind driving, then I could stop in Utah to pick up Charger Fan so we could make a party out of it, that is if we could keep him in the truck.  Problem is he'd be wanting to stop at all the internet cafe's along the way so he could keep his post count UP.    Better yet I'll bring the laptop and hopefully he'll be able to tap into someone's system that doesn't have a security code set up.

I still haven't been on a airplane since I got hurt.  Unless you count LifeFlight.   It was too windy on the coast for a helicopter so they stuck me on a puddle jumper.   LOL was that an experience, a person can only imagine how unsmooth that was!  "Keep giving me morphine".   
Now I'm a chicken without wings when it comes to airplanes. 
We get excited when there's even a whisper of one of the Mopar magazines showing up for the Spring Round-Up.   Compared to our shows, Carlisle ought to be nothing short of spectacular. 

[Brock Samson]

 that's GREAT to  hear!!! YES!!

[dart3404]

That is the best news!!! You go boy!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

Damn Mike... is great to know that a good friend gets a Christmass pressent like that... is good to know that everything is possible if you BELIEVE on that ( even I haven't had that luck )

Is good to know that if I go up there and we met will be FACE TO FACE at same height...

Is good... isn't good, is GREAT EVERYTHING...

life goes on... 

[RD]

way to go mike, you are a true inspiration story!!! now do you have an inspiration story about resto'n a charger, i need inspiration on that in the most dire way

seriously, I am glad you are progressing well.  Nothing is impossible and you are a shining example of that.

[Charger_Croatia]

  Great!! It is so inspiring to hear such news. The best wishes from Croatia, keep going on Mike.

[4402tuff4u]

Sorry, I did'nt even know you were hurt! but boy that is some recovery. I'm glad you are doing well and keep working hard. You are truly blessed and what a wonderful Christmas story. Is that an ATV you got hurt on? I have a Suzuki 250 and I know how dangerous those things can be.

[67_Dodge_Charger]

Your are an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations.

-Robert

[BigBlockSam]

wow!  thats great news my friend. with your kind of determination , anything is possible. Rene

[Big Lebowski]

Way to go dude, walking around for X-mas. 

[volk68]

What an amazing example of courage, Mike!  Great news.  God bless you and your family.  I'll be praying for a full recovery

[SuBLimE 69]

Thats great news, I'm glad to hear it ! 

[moparguy01]

Excellent! Congratulations! Keep on trucking and you can still make your goal for being in shape by the show!

[Charger_Fan]

I wouldn't mind driving, then I could stop in Utah to pick up Charger Fan so we could make a party out of it, that is if we could keep him in the truck.   Problem is he'd be wanting to stop at all the internet cafe's along the way so he could keep his post count UP.     Better yet I'll bring the laptop and hopefully he'll be able to tap into someone's system that doesn't have a security code set up.
 

Geez, I knew my ears were burning, but I couldn't decide which thread was the cause!
That would sure be a fun time! I'd just have to stay up for 72 hours to get my post count into the stratosphere, then by the time we got back, I'd be back to where I should be.

Crossing all those states would be cool too, I'd snag a case from each state... ...purely for scientific taste comparisons, of course.

[tomonty]

You are truly inspiring. A lot of times people tend to get depressed about petty things and never stop to think about how lucky they really are. Congrats and keep up the hard work.

Mike