"Man this guy is a lot faster than I thought. But I can beat him." I remember thinking. Then coach yells out, "You're not supposed to be running them that fast." Lights out.

I wake up to the alarm going off and realize that I'm already going to be late for my third day of class. I rush and make my bed, brush my teeth and head out the door running to the gym. I rush and change my clothes to the shorts and shirt provided by the guy in the cage. I rush out and see the rest of the class already starting in their drills. Coach tells me to run a few laps to warm up and then get in line and run the drills with the rest of the class. We practice our passing, dribbling and shooting. Finally, a fun class. The first one in my college career. Up to this point all I have been focused on is just getting the requirements out of the way in order to graduate. This was going to be a fun class to play the sport that I love. More shooting, dribbling and running; kind of stacking up the competition at the class progresses. It's only the third day of class and only new one or two of the other students. More shooting, running and sizing up the competition. It was an early class so it would be nice to get some exercise and for the day. With the class nearing an end Coach lined us up on the baseline in order to run sprints. Suicides. Lines. Or whatever you call running to the free-throw line back to the baseline; and a half court and back; then to the office the free-throw line and back, and finally baseline to baseline. We hear the whistle blow and I've done these a thousand times so I know that I can run them pretty quickly. By the half-court and back is me and another guy running neck and neck. We reached the opposite baseline and now we are both in a full-court sprint to reach the other side. But about the free-throw line I got one too fast and fell forward to diving into the baseline wall headfirst. Not feeling anything just blacking out.

Forever and a Day

I know this has been a definitely a long time since I've written. I have had several promptings to write in a journal but just have not. I don't even think I've written anything really on this blog but I do want to start fresh. Well not fresh, but start again for myself. I can't appreciate enough the love my friends and family have given me to help me through this accident. It has been almost 7 years since my accident and I have continually received love and support. My family especially has been the biggest support living with this accident. Things have been going well, I have graduated from college with a Bachelors in marketing. I have been using this to help my family businesses.

Sometimes I feel that this accident has really helped and benefited others. I have done several firesides and many speaking opportunities; hoping that my message will at least help a few others. Then sometimes I feel that when problems arise it is my fault. I know though that it isn't, it is just life. I do miss some of the opportunity that I missed out on being paralyzed. I know I'm just paralyzed and not contagious, but I still miss a lot of things the same. I know that with the Lord's help I can accomplish anything. I just need to accept my accident and do the best I can.

It's interesting that even though it will be seven years in May I still feel like it is a brand-new accident challenging me every day. Oh sure, it has gotten easier in some ways; understanding that I'm pretty much stuck in the chair and other things. But other days, it feels like I'm back in the hospital trying to convince myself that things will get better. I'm grateful they have, I'm grateful I am out of the hospital, I'm grateful that I don't have to be permanently in the hospital and I'm grateful for my family that have sacrificed so much to take care of me. I know it would have been a lot easier to put me in a nursing home or other facility and I'm just glad my parents and family have sacrificed for me so I could have a "normal" life. Normal as possible that is.

I'm also definitely grateful for the friends I have made and their influence and sacrifice for me as well. It is interesting though some of the friends that I have lost because either, they were or I was, too scared to do anything about it. What I mean is either they were too scared to accept me now for who I am or that I have not been as good as a friend as I should be.

It is one of my goals this year to keep up with this Journal so that I can look back and have something to see how far that I have progressed, spiritually, emotionally, and any other "lly." This is at least a start.

One Final Post

We are having a hard time keeping up!! I am learning that Ryan is Superman, but I am not superwomen!! I wish I could say that life was getting easier, but...

Ryan is doing really well in school. Technology is wonderful. Most of his Algebra class has been on-line; he and Scott found an on-line calculator, which has really helped too. With Excel and the calculator he has become pretty independent with the school work. He has registered for a calculus class next block; I am hoping that the course material will also be on-line so he can use the “set-up” he already has to do his homework. I think each semester there will be some adaptation in order to find what will work best for him; with any luck we can find what he needs to make life a little bit easier.

He is still experiencing pain every night. I keep hoping and praying that that is a good thing, since the doctors can’t figure out how to help him. He never complains, but it breaks my heart to see him have to go thru that almost every day.

It is difficult to express in words our feelings for each of you. We have been so blessed to have so many caring and loving people in our lives. We are so grateful for all of the kindness, compassion, love, service, monetary help, shoulders to cry on, listening ears, counsel, guidance and the list goes on and on that we have received over the last year. We could not have made it thru this trying time without each one of you. We realize that we will never be able to “pay-back” what we have received; hopefully we can “pay-forward” the kindness and generosity. We love you all, our lives will be forever better because of you.

We are grateful for our testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that we will all be made whole when we return to live with him. We lean on Him every minute of everyday and know that He hears and answers our prayers.

We truly hope that our paths will cross often. May the Lord bless each of you in your daily lives. You can still reach Ryan at ryangriffinblog@gmail.com.

With love,

Dean, Terry and Ryan