Last year, one of my best friends fell snowboarding and became paralyzed. He had a great life ahead of him, and still does. The background info can be found on his website:
Shred for Mikey Mike Ryan Snowboading Spinal cord injury SCI
The real reason for the post is what happened at Project Walk in November. Everytime I read it I get tingles down my spine. I just spent a few days wit him at his house, and its just amazing the amount of determination the kid has. He will always be my role model.
"From there, he started his series of resistant stretching, in which Chris had Michael on his side and his leg was bent and he would ask Michael to move it back to the bent position. Time after time, Michael would concentrate on moving his leg back, while Chris was holding his knee and calf and then would assist in the movement. Again, repetition was the key, as Michael tried 20-30 times, and then it happened. While Chris instructed Michael to again push hard and move his leg, Michael face was filled with concentration and Chris was giving no assistance, Michael’s leg was driven backwards by his own power. After nine months of immobility, he finally was able to move his leg ever so slightly. Of course, it wasn’t the motion of a field goal kicker kicking a winning field goal, but you certainly couldn’t tell the difference, as Kim’s eyes filled with tears as she witnessed Michael’s first leg movement in nine months. It was a very emotional moment and a moment that gave Michael something he’s been searching for, for the last several months, and that is hope. At that point, he realized that this was going to be a long road ahead, but he was able to do something he hasn’t done since his accident, and this will certainly be the motivation that he will need to keep him going. Michael was learning to move those muscles that border functioning and non-functioning. This will be the concentration, as the goal is to slowly work those nerve endings from the point of injury downwards, regaining movement in the process."
Here is a picture I took of his 'little' brother, only a year younger than him. When his mom or dad aren't home, its Kyle that takes care of Mikey.
Determination is Inspiration
for mikey.
Thanx A LOT Predator14 
