Hi Everyone,

I would like to share the story of my friend JC who was a victim of gang violence in 1996.   He was shot seven times at close range, barely surviving his wounds.  JC was not a gang member, but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  He was left paralyzed from his chest down and after months of rehabilitation at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center he was discharged from the hospital to start his new life as a paraplegic with a T4 complete injury.  JC left with the tools necessary to live his life as a SCI victim, but that did not prepare him for the mental journey that he would have to engage.  JC fell into depression like so many individuals once they suffer a life changing event.  He preferred not to go out with his family or friends, when he did go out he was self conscious. His life changed once again for the better one afternoon as he was leaving from a doctor’s appointment at Rancho where he met David Buck (also a paraplegic with a T4 complete injury); this meeting would change JC point of view about what people with disabilities are capable of once their minds are set to succeed.  David blew JC mind for the simple reason that David lives and independent life.  David had his own car with hand-controls something that up to that point JC had no clue of how he would drive if he chose to. JC and David became real good friends. JC became involve with wheelchair sports at Rancho. He excelled in football and hockey as player and team captain for Rancho’s Bulldogs team. JC enjoys snow skiing and motorcycle riding.  JC has a passion for helping new spinal cord injury and anyone with a disability to overcome their obstacles. He has served as a mentor to many people who suffer from a disability. JC lives his live to his full potential and his favorite quote is “LIFE IS NOT OVER UNTIL IS OVER!”

 

best,
Juan