8 Universal Truths I’ve Learned from a Broken Neck

It was eight years ago today that I broke my neck in a diving accident. A lot happened in a split second. And a lot has continued to happen. Every new experience has the potential to teach us something. When you keep your eyes, ears and heart open you can learn a lot. On this eighth anniversary, I felt it appropriate to share a few things I’ve come to appreciate these past 2,922 days.

1. IT ALL STARTS WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE

I used to have the word ATTITUDE written under the brim of my hat when I played baseball. Every time I ran onto the diamond it was right there to remind me: Attitude equals altitude. This has never rung more true for me than over the past eight years.

We are not in control of what happens to us. But we are in control of our attitude and the way we choose to respond to what happens to us.

The power to change one’s mindset, take on a new perspective and focus on positivity is a gift most will never fully appreciate. I am still learning to appreciate the power my attitude can have over my life.

The ability to influence how I perceive what happens to me cannot be taken from me. It can make all the difference in the world. It has made all the difference in the world.

It’s never as easy to act on a belief or idea as one might want. But it’s never as difficult, either.

Determining your attitude is something that’s left up to you. You can be in control of your attitude. Or not. It’s your choice.

Tough times will still find you. No one is immune from the storm. But the rains don’t last forever. Choose the right attitude. Make that last.

2. INCH BY INCH IS A CINCH, YARD BY YARD IS AWFULLY HARD

Sometimes it helps to just break things down and compartmentalize. Almost nothing is insurmountable when you break it down into its smallest parts. It’s a lot easier to focus and see results when you are not overwhelmed by the bigger obstacle in front of you.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” “The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.” The reason these sayings are clichés is because they’re true.

While we’d all like to do great things and see great things happen right away. It doesn’t just happen. It doesn’t work overnight. Things take time. And sometimes, really great things, take lots of time. But we need to invest the time if we want to improve.

Stay the course and stay patient (even when it isn’t your strong suit).

3. THERE’LL BE GOOD DAYS AND THERE’LL BE BAD DAYS

I had good days and bad days before my accident, so why should I be surprised if I still have a bad day. The important thing is what you take from those bad days. Once you learn to move through tough times, you begin to accumulate more tools in your toolbox for the next tough time you encounter.

Sure, you will encounter bad days in the future, but apply the lessons you’ve learned and they won’t last as long. Pretty soon you find yourself stringing together more good days than bad days and you start to realize, “Yeah, I can do this.”

4. TAKE CARE OF YOUR SHOULDERS

Only three bones, some muscles, ligaments and tendons comprise the shoulder. However, the shoulder joint is one of the most mobile parts of the body, and as a result, one of the most unstable joints prone to injury as well.

Ironically, before my injury my shoulders were the strongest and biggest part of my body. Now they are the weakest and smallest part of my body. Given the choice, I’d rather have my arms working than my legs.

Take care of your shoulders, otherwise you will miss them when they don’t work the way you want. Trust me.

The same could be said for your entire body.

5. YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR ADVERSITY

Cursed. Deadened. Decrepit. Inadequate. Invalidated. Screwed up. Weakened.

All those words are synonyms for the word DISABLED. I don’t know about you, but those are very ugly words to me, and certainly not words I would use to define myself.

I may have a disability, but I am not disabled. I believe I still have a lot to offer. I still hope to achieve a lot, I just might need to do it from a chair for the time being.

Regardless of what you are going through or have been through, your adversity does not define you. How you choose to live in the face of adversity is a much better definition.

Do not let adversity define you.

6. IT’S ALL RELATIVE

No matter how bad you have it, there is someone far worse off than you. Same can be said, regardless of how good you might think you have it, someone has it better. Who cares.

For the longest time after I was injured I would compare myself to others with a similar injury. Even though everyone told me that every spinal cord injury is unique, if I saw another person making more progress than me, I would wonder what I was doing wrong. Even though I felt I was working just as hard, if not harder, I wasn’t seeing the same results. Finally, I was able to accept the fact that my situation was not for wont of effort, rather, that was just the way it is.

The same can be said for a lot of the situations we find ourselves in. Don’t compare situations, because everyone chooses to deal with things in a different manner.

A few things that have helped me: focus on the now; celebrate every victory, even the small ones; incrementally get back what I lost; appreciate the simple things that provide comfort.

7. THINGS CHANGE

Not only do things change, so do people, places, feelings, memories, and bank accounts. The sooner you accept this the better off you will be able to deal with change when it occurs. If you need some help, read the book Who Moved My Cheese.

8. NO ONE CAN PREDICT THE WEATHER

I went to the U2 concert this past Saturday, which was outdoors at FirstEnergy Stadium. All week leading up to the show every forecast called for rain all night. There was no rain and it turned out to be a beautiful night. Similar to the day I broke my neck after trying to get in a quick swim before the impending rain (that never showed up).

My point isn’t about the weather, but the fact that no one knows what’s going to happen next. We are in control of our lives and what we choose to do. Don’t let someone else determine the path you choose to follow.

There is a great line from one of my favorite movies, Vanilla Sky, that one character tells another: “Every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around.”

If you find yourself going down a path you don’t like, don’t be afraid to make a U-turn.

Finally, on this beautiful day. I just want to reiterate my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for all of the support I’ve been shown by everyone. I would not be here, eight years later, if I did not have the family, friends, and assistance I’m so very blessed to have.

Stand Strong!

Scott