By Stacy James
I had just finished planning my schedule for my senior year of college, when little did I know; I would never physically walk on a college campus again.
In the next 24 hours, the doctors told my parents I would never walk again. My mom never left my side. My family and friends came to visit, and lots of people prayed for me. I was never more scared or uncertain of my life. But I knew this: It was not over.
Even though I cried when I couldn’t move the same hands that used to twirl a baton and play the guitar and piano, and my legs ACHED to dance as they once loved; I learned that the most important weapons to fight with were faith and attitude.
The words of a friend rang in my head. “You can become bitter, or you can become better.” I realized I could lie in bed hopeless, or channel my energy toward therapy and progress. My mom hung signs around the hospital that said “Attitude is Everything,” and I was determined that I would not give up. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” became my motto.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from 15 years in a wheelchair, is that we have tremendous power over our own lives. It’s called ATTITUDE. Nothing is easy for me anymore. Everything takes more time. I am in constant pain. I can’t do a lot of things independently, and it takes extra effort to make friends. Just to find a parking space is difficult.
It would be easy to lie at home and complain all day, but it would not only be miserable for me and others, it would not be right. We owe it to our families, our friends, to God, and most of all to ourselves, to try. For me, in the beginning, trying simply meant getting dressed by myself. At first, it took 45 minutes, but I did it. If we try and fail, at least we will never look back and wonder, “what if?” We often regret the things we don’t do rather than the things we do.
When I do things that are hard, I gain more confidence to tackle the next challenge. One day in the gym, I prayed that there could be some kind of sport I could do. It wasn’t long after that when a good-looking guy in a wheelchair asked me to join the wheelchair rugby team. That started it all. Later, a fellow rugby team member challenged me to try his racing wheelchair. My arms are weak, but I tried, and 6 months later won 10 medals in wheelchair track and field. That led me to the 26.2-mile New York City Marathon, which I finished in 11 ½ hours. To date, I have completed thirteen. When it gets tough, I focus on the finish line, not the pain.
We can accomplish so much in life if we quit making excuses for why we can’t do something and figure out how we can. That’s one reason I love the books I have co-authored; they are full of inspirational people rising above their circumstances.
An exceptional life is choosing to do things when they are not easy. My daily choices include being thankful, not complaining, asking for help when I need it, and facing my fears to accomplish great things. This includes water skiing and snow skiing!
The best part of my life is empowering others to live exceptionally. I have been privileged to motivate business people, speak in school assemblies, and inspire faith-based groups. I feel a responsibility to teach others how to live above their circumstances. My ministry also includes uplifting newly injured patients, helping with fundraisers for handicapped kids, promoting disability awareness, and sharing the good news of Christ. I have also been privileged to travel to Greece and Italy as a chaplain (minister) for the Paralympic Games, the Olympics for the physically handicapped.
What could have been a devastating blow years ago, God has used for good in many ways. Some people might see my life as tragic, but I would definitely call myself a blessed woman.
Copyright © 2003 by Stacy James