Seb

I still cry when I think about losing Steven and Catheryn, but what you said about their belief makes a lot of sense. I truly believe that our minds are incredibly powerful.

I loved the steps that you outlined to achieve your goals in life, and yes, I would love to read your book… I can’t wait to get my hands on it! For me, at this time in my life, the most powerful analogy was to be grateful for the waves and to learn from them. I’ve heard similar counsel before, but the image you painted with your words and vivid experience really drove the message deep in my heart.

Being diagnosed with Arthritis at the tender age of nine, I was too young to process what was happening to my life and my body to be very positive. Being confined to a wheelchair at age 15, definitely added insult to injury… I have spent many years being frustrated at having my youth “stolen” from me while I endured therapy, medications, hand splints and later an electric wheelchair in public school, and too many doctor appointments to count. I’ve been on the receiving end of severe prejudice and hurtful rude comments directed at me and my disability. I could go on forever describing the pain and torturous life I chose to endure… they were mighty, painful waves that felt relentless to me.

But what have I learned from them? What have they taught me and what kind of a person did they mold me into? First what comes to mind is my love of home remedies, natural health solutions, and avoiding doctor visits as often as possible. (Of course it doesn’t hurt that these “natural solutions” got me out of my wheelchair and gave me the ability to run and jump for the first time in over 20 years! ;)

Second, I have gained an empathy for others that I know would not be possible without going through what I have.

Third, I have discovered my God-given talent of loving others even when it is hard to do. Sometimes my heart aches because I love people so much and I want to help them live the healthiest and happiest life possible. But the waves continue to come and there will be more waves in the future, I’m sure.

So tonight, I am grateful for you, my brother-in-law, and the visual lessons that I can use to help me to “just keep swimming” even when the waves sting my eyes and burn my throat… I can be grateful for their guidance and the way they continually break off my rough edges. I love you Kimball and I am so glad that you survived that fateful day.
Love always,
Cari
http://www.retiredmywheelchair.com

I like to think of myself as a spiritual person…I have gone through many hardships in my life ( none as hard as yours though )..I have many times questioned why…The answer I always got was that I cannot in my limited mind understand the whole scope of the divine plan…I believe we all make our own choices to make and those choices effect everything and everybody in some way…I actually got this quote in my sleep two nights ago…”every decision or indecision creates an effect”….We cannot beat ourselves up about our decisions or indecisions. We grow from them…..We cannot understand all the effects that these have..Your Survival, loss and your decision to grow from that experience have in may ways effected people in ways that you will never know….As my mother always told me since I can remember “everything happens for the best” I wanted to tell her to shut up a lot of times but I know now she was right, even if we do not understand it….Keep inspiring people and never give up and more people will continue to benefit from this event.

From My Heart,

Paul Blann

Thank you. I really appreciate your comment. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that day, and I don’t know where I would be or if I would have made it if Mike was not there with me. I know we both helped each other a lot while we were in the water.

Thank you for your kind words. I hope things are going well for you. Next time you talk to Mike, tell him hello for me.

Kimball

I just wanted to say thank you! I am Mike New’s younger brother and I don’t know where I would be without him. Since the accident he has helped me in many different ways. He also has told me since the accident that he would not be alive if it weren’t for you telling him that it was going to be ok and that you were both going to make it. I just wanted to thank you for saving my brothers life and I hope everything you have ever wished or dreamed for comes true, you really do deserve it. Keep up the good work!!

Greg New