Power Grid Blog
you alone can do it, but you can’t do it alone
January 30, 2013 | George Gallego
“There isn’t a single source out there, not even a dictionary that is capable of clearly defining who we are as a people. It's only when we step out of that labeled box, that our abilities begin to be fully recognized, giving us a better definition of who we truly are as individuals. We are not defined by our disability.”
20 years ago, when I was in my early 20’s, I was a manager of over 150 people with a great pay and a promising future… and then it happened…I fell from a height equivalent to 3 stories and landed on my back. From the impact of the fall I severed my spine. That fall changed my entire life. I lost my job, my family, my ability to walk, my self-esteem, and many other things that people take for granted… Never deny or regret your experiences, no matter how challenging they may seem…with every loss is an opportunity for gain. I gained and mastered the skill of re-inventing myself.
Prior to my accident, I had lived a very active life. After my accident, I lived an extremely sedentary life. As a result, I went from 180 to about 350 pounds! After a rude awakening, I began a campaign to embrace my new way of life. It took many, many years to complete the healing of mind, body, and spirit. Eventually, I began a rigorous exercise routine and by 2005 I had lost over 100 pounds.
I began competing in short distance races and gradually increased my stamina and distance. On July 22, 2007, I competed in the Nautica NYC Triathlon National Championships and placed 2nd in my division. I was invited to join Team USA and competed in the Triathlon World Championships in Hamburg, Germany. Since then, I have represented the US in many National and International competitions—in addition to three World Championship Races.
As a veteran in the world of disability, I felt compelled to offer my assistance to recently injured men, women, and children. As a mentor, I share the knowledge of community resources and coping skills I have discovered in the 20+ years since I was injured. I give them the “reality” of the situation and also the hope that they can make it if they choose.
Through mentoring, I learned that there was a major gap in the socio-economic system that caused an entire segment of society to be ignored for years. I founded Wheels of Progress, a nonprofit organization (501c3), as an alternative to institutional living. We envision a world in which young people living with spinal cord injuries, or other disabilities, are no longer prisoners in nursing homes, in their homes, or in their minds, but instead are able to develop the will and the skill to embrace their new reality and to reinvent their lives. The ultimate mission of Wheels of Progress is to create affordable, accessible, supportive housing, and provide transformative environments, education, and experiences for persons living with a disability. As a result, people will have the opportunity to develop to their full human potential.
If there is one thing, a person living with a disability (and indeed all people actually), must learn is: you alone can do it, but you can’t do it alone. My life is a testament to that. I thank everyone who has helped me along in my journey.
Comments
Submitted by Larry at 11:12 AM on January 31, 2013