October 10

Yesterday was the 2011 Long Beach Marathon. I'm pleased to say that I completed it this year using only my crutches. This was a huge improvement from last year, because this year I didn't even have my wheelchair with me. Parking is bad down there and I had to walk a good distance to get to the start line, which also meant that I had to walk back after it was over. Surprisingly, this year didn't make me as sore as it did last year. Naturally yesterday I was really sore, but today I feel good. I guess I'll have to see what comes in the next few days. We didn't really get any good video, but I do have some pictures to share with you. I hope all is well and KEEP MARCHING!

August 4

We went on a nice vacation with my family last week to Lake Nacimiento. The weather was nice and we had a great time. The water level of the lake was at its highest since 1986 and the lake looked amazing. I am so excited to tell you that I was able to wakeboard while we were there. I'm sorry for those of you who weren't able to hear the news from me. I couldn't wait to tell everyone, but I was waiting to get the video ready for you all to see. For those of you who didn't know, wakeboarding was the only hobby of mine that I loved to do. I would have done it everyday if I could have. I remember laying in the hospital bed, after I was hurt, dreaming of the day that I would ride again. Naturally, that was when I was too stubborn to think that I may never walk again. As time has passed I've realized that I'll never ride like I did before, but I've been hopeful that I could at least get up. My goal was to ride at the lake and I did! It felt amazing to actually do it. I must say, sitting on the back of the boat before I hopped in the water, the butterflies were definitely in my stomach. The first try, I didn't come close and I felt like my dream was being shattered. The second try, I almost stood up and I could smell success. The third try was similar to the second. Then, the fourth try, SUCCESS! I rode for 2 minutes straight and then I had to drop the rope because we were in a tight area. In the boat I couldn't wipe the smile from my face. I did it again the day before we left and had a couple crashes. I'm looking forward to doing it again in the near future. I'm having a problem getting the video from the first day to work, but here's a video from the second time. If I get the first video to work I'll post it here. Thank you all for your continuous support and Keep Marching!

June 30

For any of you that were having issues watching the last video, it should be fine now. Our Havasu trip was kind of a disaster. It was nice to use Steve's time share at the London Bridge Resort, we love that place, but the fuel pump went out on the boat on the first day. We did our best to salvage the weekend, but it's hard to sit at the pool watching all the other boats drive by. The weather was averaging 115 during the day and 85 at night, pretty hot! It was nice to still get away. I don't have much news other than that, so I hope you all have a great 4th and keep marching!

June 21

Well I feel bad that it has been over two months since I've posted, so I'm sorry. I hope you all are doing well. The Wii hab event was a lot of fun and we raised over $130,000 for the rehab center. Nicole has been out of school for about a month and it has been so much more relaxing. My therapy is still going good, and I've been walking much better with a single cane. This weekend we are getting a nice little vacation, thanks to our wonderful Mother's who want to brave the boys! My therapist ( Ziad) asked me to do a little commercial type interview for Precision. It came out pretty good and, since there is some footage of me at therapy, I thought that I would share it with you. Here it is. Well I will try to stay a little more current and I thank those of you who had the patience to stick around. Keep Marching!

Wii Hab event brodcasted live

I'm not sure if anyone is interested in watching the Wii Hab event that I'll be doing tonight, but if you are, you can watch it here. Thank you so much to everyone that supported me. Thanks to you all, I was able to raise $1375 in just a couple weeks. The money is going to allow them to upgrade their facility with the newest technology and research capabilities. I know first hand how important this is. I want you all to remember that this is a big deal, we never know when one of our family members or friends will require these services, but we do know that they will have the best care possible. Thanks again and Keep Marching!

April 3

It's last minute, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm playing in a fundraiser for Long Beach Memorial Rehabilitation Center. This is the second year that they're doing this to help raise money for needed medical equipment.They have five teams, which are led by the doctors, and include former patients, like myself. We will be competing against each other by playing the Wii video game. It's a fun way to help future patients receive the proper equipment and care that they need, as well as, show how interactive games are very helpful towards recovery. If you would like to sponsor me, you can do it through my player page that they set up. To support me click here.

I would also like to let you all know that I'm starting my own lawn mowing business. We are a little expensive, but you will get your money's worth. If you're interested please leave a comment and Keep Marching!

One long year!

Well today Ziad performed another progress test on me. To my surprise, I scored a 50 out of 56! The last test was a 45 and I thought that I was only going to see small changes as I grew closer to the 56 max. When Ziad told me that I scored a 50, it made my day. Pretty good way to end this long year since my injury. Tomorrow is March 4th, the date of my injury. Some might think of this as being a terrible day, and it was one year ago, but this March 4th, and all of the rest to come, should be celebrated. I hate my situation, and who wouldn't, but I cherish it as well. I've learned a lot through this last year. My injury has taught me, that no matter how bad you think your situation is, there is always someone suffering more than you. I don't go one day feeling sorry for myself. I've met many people along the way who would give anything to be in my situation. I am so thankful to have my brain and my arms. I can still hug my wife and kids and take care of myself. I am also so fortunate to recover as much as I have. There are many people who aren't fortunate enough to regain any feeling or function. My injury has showed me how important your family and friends are. You all have helped Nicole, the boys and myself in so many ways. We wouldn't be getting through this without you. It has showed me how amazing my wife is, I can't believe what my injury has put her through. What I can believe is how strong she has been throughout it all. I know that she is an incredible wife and mother, and I'm so fortunate to have her and the boys to give me the strength to keep fighting. This year has felt much longer than a year. I can't honestly remember what normal life feels like, I guess it's our minds way of helping us deal with the present. Looking back through this year helps me to appreciate all that I have, and it excites me to wonder what has yet to come. My expectations for myself are still as high as they have ever been. This year is just one notch in the belt, of many more to come. I'll leave you with these words, "March 4th, KEEP MARCHING!"

Fwbruary 21

Hello everyone! Nicole was able to come to therapy with me today, so I was able to get some videos of the day. The first video shows me walking and performing some tasks. The second video shows some new stuff we're working on. Everything's going really good for us, I hope you all are well, cheers!

February 19

Hello, just checking in. Not much has changed since my last post, but I have had some improvements. I actually reached my goal this past Thursday of being able to stand on my own, before the one year mark. I was pretty excited about that. Also my walking and endurance have both been getting better. I've been going for walks around the block with the family, while pushing the stroller. It seems like each time it gets easier and easier. Friday I walked with a cart through Target, and realized at the end that I wasn't tired. Much better from when I first started doing it, and my speed is getting much better. I think in two weeks Ziad will be performing another progress test, so I hope to increase my score. Well that's all and I'll keep you posted about the test, cheers!

February 8

Hello everyone, I have had some of you ask for a Paypal link to be able to donate money. I have now added one on the right side above the picture link. Please let me know if you have any troubles with it. Now I would like everyone to know that I'm not asking for any donations, because you all have been so generous already; however, for those that do want to donate, I'm just trying to make it easier for them. Thank you all so much for the love and support. Talk to you soon, cheers!

P.S.

One thing that I forgot to mention, is that last week Ziad performed another progress test and I went from a 41 to a 45. Pretty good for only a month.

January 20

Hello everyone! I'm doing really good with my recovery. Ziad has really improved my walking without assistive devices. He's also been working with me to get me to pick things up off of the floor and stand back up without having to use my hands. I can bend down without using my hands, but I need a slight push with my hand to get back up. This is with my braces on; however, today when I came home from therapy, I had my braces off of my feet and thought I would try to see how well I could do it without them. I was amazed to find that I bent down, touched the ground and stood back up WITHOUT using my hands! You wouldn't believe how excited I was. This was the first time in almost a year that I was able to do so. Now, I still can't do it with my braces on, but I feel that it's only a matter of time. The braces don't allow my ankles to bend, so it's a little harder for me to get my hips back under my torso. I feel that, with hard work and Ziad's help, I will be able to do it with my braces before the anniversary of my injury ( March 4). I'm very pleased with my recovery and I can't wait to see what I can do in a couple more months. To give you an idea of how much better my walking is, I recorded a video similar to an old one. When I recorded the first one there was no way that I could attempt the ramp, But now it's possible. The first video was recorded August 30 and this new video is on January 20, so basically 5 months. Well talk to you soon, cheers!