I’m Not Dead Yet (INDY)! 10 years ago today I had a run-in with gravity on my newly built slalom racing Stumpjumper. I was chasing the dream of being a pro mountain biker and adrenalin powered extreme athelete. After echoing “fuck it, what’s the worst that could happen”; my last words as a temporarily able bodied (TAB) 21 year old, I was unforgivingly handed the opportunity to master wheelchair pose. Overshooting my intended landing zone, I came down on my chest, crushing the fifth and sixth thorasic vetebra (just below my chest) and spinal cord.
Fast forward 10 years. Vancouver, May 7th, 2007. Not so adrenalin powered anymore. Organics and yoga have replaced adrenalin as the fuel of choice. I’m still sitting down, a spiritual seeker, java web geek, sustainablity, climate change, peak oil, zero waste, urban homesteading fanatic. I’m quickly approaching my last days as a unmarried man. On June 9th I’ll to be married to Lisa.
Living without the use and cooperation of my lower extremeties continues to be a relentless and terse teacher but also a great catalyst of personal, emotional and spiritual growth. There are no days off and every day brings its struggles and frustrations but also deeper levels of truth and awareness. With this awarness I sense a responsibility to act on what I contemplate and see. It feels as if I am being prepared for role of service to humanity and a steward to the environment. My most challening personal stuggles appear to be won as I am now being guided to serve in a larger context at the dawn of the Aquarian Age.
I look forward to the changes and challenges that the next ten years of wheelchair pose will bring.
Justin
