“Life is not measured by the number breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” This quote has two meanings for me. The first meaning is exactly how it’s stated. The second is a literal and personal meaning. Life is not measured by the number breaths I take, which happens to be 18 breaths a minute, but by the moment that took my breath away. On November 1, 2002 I was in a car accident. I broke my neck at C1 C2 and injured my spinal cord. I am paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator. After spending six months in rehabilitation, I graduated high school and am now attending Normandale Community College. I am working towards getting my associates in arts with an emphasis in communications. The fact that my breath was taken away doesn’t mean that this moment in my lifetime wasn’t meant to happen. It was a change; I live my life differently now. I do motivational speaking and am an advocate for people with disabilities.
Jenni Taylor
Minnetonka, MN, United States
