Helen was uneasy all day. “Something’s wrong,” she said at dinner. When she got home at 8:30 pm, the phone rang. It was my college roommate. “Helen, Stacy was in a diving accident. She broke her neck.”
She arrived in the ER to find my head in a C-Clamp, tubes down my nose and throat, heart monitors on my chest, and IV’s in each arm, paralyzed from the neck down. She looked down at me, and all I could say was, “I’m sorry mom, please don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad at you, honey; we’ll get through this,” she said, touching my face.
I spent the night in the ICU; my mom spent the night outside my door. The next day the doctors told my mom I would never walk again. She never told me.
“Imagine yourself running along the beach,” she said, sticking with me for a month in the hospital and three months in rehab. She learned to give me shots, medicine, and stretch my legs. She helped me re-enroll in college and accompanied me to class, taking notes, because my fingers were still paralyzed, and typed my papers at work. She lifted my heavy wheelchair in and out of the car, driving me to therapy three mornings a week and to class at night. Two years later, I walked on crutches to graduate magna cum laude, my mom by my side.
In 1999, my mom walked with me to complete the New York City Marathon in 11 ½ hours. Today I am grateful to be a wheelchair athlete, Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2002, a motivational speaker and an author. For every dream, I can count on my mom to be cheering. She never let my broken neck break my spirit.
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Comments: 81
You and your mom make a great team.
You are a very special person. I know you enjoy helping others keep their spirits up.
Craig
Thanks for being a great true friend, and thoe loving words you spoke of your unfailing faith in God for my son Christopher's funeral in Columbus Ohio....your words encouaged our broken hearts but not our spirit...now the legacy will live on forever thanks to you and your support....how can I ever repay you?
The Bryant's
The Journey Begins... Proverbs 3: 4-6
You are such a wonderful friend and have such an inquizitive mind about everything. No one could be so lucky to have Helen for a mother and a friend. You truly are an inspiration to so many and LIVING PROOF of Philippians 4:13 ( I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me). May God continue to bless you and your Mom.
I, too, have a disability. We have a lot in common. Keep up the marvelous work and God's will. It is a true blessing to have an AWESOME Mom. I know, I have one, too! May God bless you always!
What a wonderful article about your mother! I know first hand what a wonderful woman she is! This is Karen from VA...Ms. Wheelchair VA! :D Give your mom and huge hug from me!
Karen
Stephanie C
You are a loving mother and daughter team, dedicated to each other! May you continue to nurture your friendship. The journey you have been on since Stacy's injury has been incredible, allowing you to touch the lives of many and make their lives better.
All the best of success to you both!
Rosemarie Rossetti, Ph.D.
This is a beautiful essay. You have been a true inspiration to all of us! Keep up the great work!
This is an opportunity to share with you the words of a hymn I've known for yonks, and that you remind me of since meeting you in the Big Apple in 99'. It is particularly relevant to distance running due to the words, and also to what the essay expresses. The first three verses (of six) go:
Brother, Sister, let me serve you
Let me be as Christ to you
Pray that I may have the grace to
Let you be my servant too..
..We are pilgrims on a journey
We're together on the road
We are here to help each other
[Run] the mile and bear the load....
...I will weep when you are weeping
When you laugh I'll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through...
I'll sign off here b4 this becomes an essay also - but appreciate your example!
God Bless!
God Bless
I'm a reporter, and I was more than glad to share her story with the readers of our local newspaper.
I wish her all the best for the future.
Mark Miller, reporter for the Steubenville Herald-Star
Best of luck for continued strength and success. It is such a blessing to have had your mother by your side helping you achieve your goals.
Jean Taylor
Your Spirit is unstoppable and your happiness and strength are a way of life we should all appreciate and live. Your mother should be an example to all not only as a mom but as a friend. Happiest of Mothers Day to her.
Gods Peace,
Julie
Adrienne
http://www.adriennezurub.typepad.com
God has truly blessed you with an enduring spirit and a true mother of the faith. God bless you both in all that you accomplish.
I have seen you at church always smiling, but now know some of your story. Thank you, for sharing to the world. A mother's Love to the fullest and to reconize it is even better. Some people don't even call and talk to thier mothers, because of being too busy or for some other reason. We must take time to share or love with our parents. Thank you, Tom from Church.
Janine