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Post by Pony on Oct 23, 2012 9:48:04 GMT -5
Every one of us has a story of triumph! School happens to be one of mine.
Before my accident, I hated school. I even dropped out of high school, but I started going to junior college after a girlfriend I met talked me into it. She was an incredible girl that came into my life at the perfect time, and it was my first serious relationship after my accident the left me c5c6 SCI.
A very personal article was done in the local newspaper that focused on my life after drunk driving accident, and Denise contacted the newspaper, wanting to meet me. It was a strange way of hooking up, but she was cool girl, and damn pretty, although very young. She was 17, I was 24. Understandably, her parents didn't love the idea for a few reasons - age + disability!!! However, we clicked, and we were inseparable for a year. I was her first REAL sexual relationship, as some dude at a party had raped her while she was drunk. It didn't start out sexual, but eventually it got pretty crazy.
I wasn't able to drive at the time, and didn't have a lift on my van. In those days, I had a plywood ramp that my mother used to get me in and out after she worked all night in nursing homes as a CNA. And Denise drove my ass around, too.
As i said, going to school was her idea, and after we broke up, I registered at the local community college. I remember my first classes I wrote with a pen in my mouth because I hadn't learned the tricks of writing by hand again. I went to Jr College for seven years before I finally graduated. By then, I had got a loan to fix my van to drive. I moved to a HUD apartment that I couldn't take a shower in, but it saved me money. Needless to say, I hated that, but sacrificed in order to get financially able to pay the driving loan!!
As I went along, I gained confidence, and felt the doors opening more and more in my life. After I graduated Jr College with an A.A. degree, I immediately enrolled in University of South Florida, where I eventually graduated with a B.A. in Mass Communications. The University was an hour away, and I remember it being like this huge challenge for me to drive that far everyday. Not all of going to college was so enjoyable, but the closer I got to completion, the more doors opened in life - including my own mind.
I didn't have a lot of friends, and I was older than most college kids, but I wrote a music column for the college newspaper, and that was the start of my interest in writing. I also interned as a Capitol Records regional rep to scout talent, which led to Derek Trucks' first recording demo deal when he was just a kid. He has since gone on to become a well-known slide-guitar hero.
In 1991, I graduated USF onstage at Bayfront Center in cap n gown with long hair down my back. I felt like Lance Armstrong winning the grueling Tour de France.
Battles build character, and open doors. More importantly, these uphill battles gave my life purpose at a time when I really needed to prove something to myself. It became my foundation to rebuilding my life!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2012 10:25:09 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing that Pony, I for one need a kick up the ass to get stuff done that I know I have to. It is magical when you meet the right person at just the right time, even if they are just showing you a bridge to get over. I remember once you called me a Warrior and I loved it and cling onto that reference when the going gets tough.  |
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Post by spurs2000 on Oct 23, 2012 12:21:40 GMT -5
An Inspirational story you have shared! Thx
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Post by Kid A on Oct 23, 2012 12:35:49 GMT -5
Great story, Tony - thanks for sharing! |
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Post by Ximena on Oct 23, 2012 16:25:04 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your story, Tony! I can imagine it would be a challenge to go back to school when you're older. Glad everything worked out for you . |
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Post by janewheeler on Oct 23, 2012 21:11:35 GMT -5
My husband certainly didn't have challenges of quite that magnitude, but he had his own issues to overcome. He eventually started college when he was nearly 30, and he's still working at it seven years later (in part because his company pays for half-time tuition). He says that things mean so much more now than they would have if he'd tried to go to college right out of high school -- which he wouldn't have done, became he came from a blue-collar background and thought he'd simply go to work at the factory like his mom.
I know I'm smarter than a lot of people. (Fat lot of good it does me when I lose my keys or get to the bus stop late...) But I can tell you this: if I had the persistence, the patience and the care that he did, I'd be doing something truly amazing. And if I combined it with the attitude he takes toward approaching problems, and the way he puts people at ease within seconds... man, we would be unstoppable.
He still has times he finds it hard to push past someone saying no. He grew up accepting that as a final answer. I, on the other hand, grew up pestering people to figure out how I could sneak past the rules and get things done. I get so happy, then, when I see him refuse to take no for an answer. He deserves to know that he's earned more than he thought would be possible.
I'm so proud of him, and I love him so much. He really does inspire me to be a better person.
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Post by spurs2000 on Oct 24, 2012 13:06:34 GMT -5
My husband certainly didn't have challenges of quite that magnitude, but he had his own issues to overcome. He eventually started college when he was nearly 30, and he's still working at it seven years later (in part because his company pays for half-time tuition). He says that things mean so much more now than they would have if he'd tried to go to college right out of high school -- which he wouldn't have done, became he came from a blue-collar background and thought he'd simply go to work at the factory like his mom. I know I'm smarter than a lot of people. (Fat lot of good it does me when I lose my keys or get to the bus stop late...) But I can tell you this: if I had the persistence, the patience and the care that he did, I'd be doing something truly amazing. And if I combined it with the attitude he takes toward approaching problems, and the way he puts people at ease within seconds... man, we would be unstoppable. He still has times he finds it hard to push past someone saying no. He grew up accepting that as a final answer. I, on the other hand, grew up pestering people to figure out how I could sneak past the rules and get things done. I get so happy, then, when I see him refuse to take no for an answer. He deserves to know that he's earned more than he thought would be possible. I'm so proud of him, and I love him so much. He really does inspire me to be a better person. That's a great compliment for your husband. He definitely completes you!  |
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Post by Pony on Oct 25, 2012 13:37:52 GMT -5
Yeah Jane, that was a beautiful tribute to your husband. How cool is it that a wife admires her husband so much!!!
Yes Tabby, we're ALL warriors in some way. Life is not easy...I've taken a million stabs of a knife, but my spirit hasn't died. Everyone here has had their share of pain and trials, but it's all about your attitude whether you let it bring you to your knees...
I wrote this because it was so unlikely that I would ever finish college.
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Post by janewheeler on Oct 26, 2012 0:10:27 GMT -5
I admire him so much, in part, because he does the same for me. He appreciates the things that I've felt were turnoffs for other people. He's given me so much more to work with.
But really, we owe it all to our crappy first spouses and knowing just how much more awful life could be. Thanks, guys!
Gratitude: it's the best reminder!
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