Terrible things can happen at anytime. To any one of us.

Sometimes we can see them coming, and other times they can hit us like a line drive and shatter everything we know in one seemingly endless moment.

The journey back from tragedy is not always easy or pain-free. Adversities are challenges. We can allow them to consume us or we can use them as tools to become better human beings.

I might have lost the use of my legs, the most critical element of my identity (during that phase of my life;) however, I found something much stronger and more everlasting.

Essentially, my paralysis has put me in the unique position to see how alike we all are. I've learned along the way that paralysis comes in many forms. A divorce, the loss of a job or losing a loved one - these things can leave us feeling emotionally paralyzed.

I believe our mutual struggles help us gain strength and insight from one another.

Through sharing our challenges, my hope is for us to realize a chance to grow together.