Cameron picks self up after paralyzing accident

When blades scrape across a pristine sheet of ice in the women’s Frozen Four this weekend, it will be the realization of many players’ dreams. But for one former hockey All-American, it’s a reminder of a world she’s missing. A world she works every day to be a part of again.

Sept. 12, 2010 was a busy day for 25-year-old Kristen Cameron. As an assistant ice hockey coach for Mercyhurst College pursuing a master’s in organizational leadership, she had a lot on her plate.

Still settling into her new apartment near the rink, Cameron went out to purchase groceries and two corner tables. She then spent the afternoon hanging things in her living room — a Bob Marley poster here, a hockey stick there — before deciding to use the last hour or so of daylight to go for a bike ride.

The new route she discovered was perfect for triathlon training. Fresh pavement. Flat as could be. Huge shoulder. With sweat dampening the hair under her helmet, she felt energized with every pump of the pedal.

“In my mind I remember being like, ‘I probably should turn around now.’ But I kept going. And then I don’t remember anything until I woke up in the hospital.” Continue Reading »

Future uncertain for car accident victim

WOODSTOCK — Just over a month after a car accident left him almost completely paralyzed, Etowah High School student Tyler Rolison continues to fight to get back everything he lost.

The 17-year-old was at his grandmother’s house in Newnan for a week during Christmas. On Dec. 29, Tyler was driving home to Woodstock to celebrate New Year’s Eve when a car pulled out in front of him on Interstate 85. He swerved to miss the oncoming vehicle, causing his car to flip five times. Continue Reading »

Triumphing over spinal cord injury

Kevin and Tiffany Mather adjusted to a life-changing accident through Triumph Foundation

Kevin Mather loved to ride his bike. On July 3, 2009, the Valencia resident pedaled along Sierra Highway with a dozen buddies on a beautiful Southern California morning.

Moments later, Mather was lying on the asphalt, the white line that divided the bike lane from the road now at eye level. A car’s broken rear-view mirror lay shattered next to him. Mather was the victim of a hit and run, the driver turning himself in just an hour later. Continue Reading »

Renner Gives High Hopes to those with Disabilities

In the Dawson Building at Auburn University, Scott Renner can be found working long hours at the Center for Disability Research and Services. Continue Reading »

Teenager told he’d never be able to move again set to walk West Highland Way

THREE years ago, Connor Docherty was paralysed from the neck down after a horrendous rugby injury … now he’s going to walk the West Highland Way.

The teenager had broken his neck and badly injured his spinal cord in a tackle and was warned he might never be able to move again.

But now the 19-year-old is to attempt the gruelling 96-mile route to raise cash for the Murrayfield Centenary Fund, which helps rugby players whose lives have been devastated by spinal injuries. Continue Reading »

Paralysed Witley man tells of moment his heart stopped

Paralysed from the elbows down and confined to a wheelchair, Dan Eley could be forgiven for being bitter with life.

The 33 year old from Witley broke his neck while teaching in Colombia.

Unable to afford the specialist flight home an internet campaign raised enough money to bring him back.

But the former charity worker is now planning to return to Colombia to realise his dream of setting up charity for homeless children.

It was New Year’s Day 2010 while swimming in a Colombian lagoon that Dan’s life changed for ever. Continue Reading »

Attitude is how we react to life

BONAIRE — There are 541 graduates in this year’s senior class at Houston County High School. A sea of caps and black gowns will fill Reaves Arena on Saturday night at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.

By virtue of the alphabet, and also because he is an honor student, Alex Adcock won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.

He will be seventh in line to receive his diploma. Continue Reading »

Fighter, father hangs tough after paralyzing injury

If Michael Jones did it, he knew he’d be spent for the day. He’s a quadriplegic with some sensation and bits of movement. But that morning as his nearly 3-year-old daughter, Liliana, climbed on him in the hospital bed he sleeps in at home, Michael just wanted to be a dad.

So he lifted his arm at the elbow, holding it somewhere between a 45- and 90-degree angle. Liliana threw her weight against his arm, and he pushed her back onto the bed, the way dads horse around with their wide-eyed, apple-cheeked toddlers. Continue Reading »

Pascagoula woman’s determination inspires loved ones, strangers

PASCAGOULA — “When life gives you trying situations, I don’t say, ‘Why me, I say try me.’ ”

That’s the slogan on T-shirts that are being sold to raise funds to help send Katy Blake, a 23-year-old Pascagoula native who suffered a life-altering injury in a diving accident last spring, back to full-time physical rehab. Continue Reading »

Spinal-cord injury hasn’t slowed him down

New doctor helps patients, does research

Like many working parents of young children, south Charlotte residents Jesse and Michelle Lieberman juggle careers and family time.

Jesse, 33, is a physician at Carolinas Rehabilitation and is also pursuing a master’s degree in public health at UNC Charlotte. Michelle, 36, is an occupational therapist in the Carolinas HealthCare System. They are parents to 3-year-old twins, Gracey and Saul. Continue Reading »