6 years. 72 months. 312 weeks. More than 2,190 days. Any way you slice it, it’s still the same.
Sort of.
It’s been another trip around the sun and I’m still here. That’s a good thing. So I got that going for me.
And still, each new revolution conjures up the age-old dilemma: “Does absence make the heart grow fonder?” or “If it’s out of sight, is it out of mind?” I guess it depends on who you ask, and the perspective with which one chooses to view things.
My body has been absent of any meaningful movement for over six years. I’d be the biggest liar if I said I don’t miss it. Each day I still try to defy the odds and generate any type of voluntary motor response. I hope I never stop trying. I really miss my old body, even though it wasn’t really that old. I felt like I was just getting started. I will always hold a fondness in my heart for the rhythm in which my muscles used to work together.
But the reality is, that it has been six years. And a lot can change in a short amount of time. Yes, it really has been a short time. While a trip around the sun might seem like a long time, consider the fact that our planet has already done it more than 4 billion times. How’s that for some perspective?
I have learned to adapt. Actually, been forced to adapt. It’s an adaptation that I vigorously fought, tooth and nail, screaming and crying, half a dozen Julys ago. Today, that same adaptation is something I embrace, almost covet, and work hard to parlay into something worthwhile with each new revolution through the solar system. For me, adaptation has given me perspective.
Although movement is still an aspiration of mine, it’s not always top of mind. What is top of mind for me is that I continue to gain new perspective throughout every orbit. This is something I don’t just reflect on every July 3rd, but rather a tenet that I have truly disciplined myself to consider on a frequent basis.
My perspective probably won’t help me resolve the questions I’ve sought answers for:
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Why do others with the same injury move when I can’t?
What makes a marriage really strong?
But what each circumnavigation has given me is a perspective to answer the questions I used to ignore:
How important are family and friends?
Is life still worth living after really, really horrible things happen?
Will things ever get better?
The perspective I continue to gain, reflect on, and try my best to always appreciate is what keeps me looking forward to that next trip around the sun.
“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.” – Og Mandino
Words will never express my gratitude to the support I’ve received from you. I thank my lucky stars every day!
Stand Strong!
Scott
Scott, throughout your orbit, you truly reflect the sun to the rest of us! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings, always in the most profound way. Happy summer!
Scott,
To steal a quote (and then change it) from Coach John Wooden:
“Life…If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
So many people’s bodies move, yet they go through life so much more paralyzed than you. Paralyzed by fear, guilt, addiction, prejudice, shame, regret…the list goes on.
Your blogs help free so many from the paralyzing trap their minds have become.
I am blown away by your courage and perseverance.
Hang in there, buddy. Keep working your mind and your body. The medical field is on the brink of huge things for nerve restoration. You will recover, stand, walk, run.
2 more good ones from The Coach:
Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
Keep the Faith
Keep the Faith Scott
You are never far from my thoughts. I always think that Scott would give anything to be able to move and live a normal life. It makes me appreciate what I have.
Scott,
Each and every single time I read your posts it is like a wake up call to my entire being. It forces me to take time to reflect on all that is good, regardless of what we are experiencing in the moment that might be bad. I often imagine your smiling face on the day you spoke at our Lenten Reflection event at Walsh Jesuit High School. Your story shook me to the core and I will never forget it. I will continue to pray for the movement you seek but please know that you have touched lives (even near strangers like myself) in ways you can’t imagine possible. Thank you for that. Always know that you are in the thoughts of people you don’t even have reason to think of. Take care Scott.
Scott, We are lucky to have you.
Dear Scott,
You continue to be an inspiration to all who know you. I pray that God will continue to bless and watch over you. You remain in my daily prayers. Love to you. Cherry
Beautifully written Scott.
Keep writing great things and doing great things my friend…you inspires us all…prayers for you every day. Here’s to many more trips around the sun.
Six years? It’s incredible how fast time goes. I think a lot about bad things happening to good people. I have determined that things happen to people. Good things and bad things happen to good and bad people. not everything is God or the Universe talking. Some things are just physics, chemistry, or happenstance. There is magic and luck, but mostly progress comes from work. Accidents happen, intentional unpleasantness happens. We just think about it (sometimes not very long) and decide how to deal with it. If we are lucky, we have been trained to handle things with Grace and acknowledge our shortcomings regarding patience and understanding. If we were less lucky, we ask why over and over and wallow in despair, slowly hardening, turning into angry, shriveled, greedy souls.
You are an enourmous inspiration, and your experience and eloquence, openness and generosity not only teaches us all ways to handle the extremes of life, but keeps you afloat and feeds your courage. (Run on sentence?) I have said it many times, and I mean it every time, thank you for sharing your journey with us. Thank you for letting us in and sharing the benefits of your lessons with us. We are all better people for it.