How I got paralyzed 

Hello my name is brandon I know you don’t know me and I don’t even know if you will see this but in the slim chance that you do it is currently 1am for me and I just wanted to let you know you have given me my hope back I just watched your “how I got paralyzed” video for the very first time and you single handedly gave me my hope back I am 1 year and 4 months into my T12 sci injury and you truly made me realize I’m not alone in this injury I’m going through a very similar situation to you I had a 60 foot fall and before my fall I was very physically active and I’m also struggling with addiction and to make a long story short I’ve honestly got to the point of losing all hope of getting better again but hearing you talk about your story has gave me hope again so sincerely from the bottom of my heart thank you so much and please keep doing what your doing because I know there’s others out there who would find you as inspiring as I have today so again thank you I am now an instant fan

My accident was March 8th 2021. I'm still learning all the terms but I broke my neck and back. I'm paralyzed from the waist down. Just started PT, and I want to get as good as possible. Thanks for your videos. It helps while I'm in the hospital and accepting this. God bless

I'm almost totally there dude... getting my c-brace in 13 days is the only thing keeping me going. I went to a wedding the other night and for the first time chose my wheelchair over my walker. Totally surprised my wife

It's crazy how a single moment can change your life forever. I'm 34 now, and when I was 26 and in my last year of my doctorate, I stood up from my computer only to have my foot collapse under me. After a series of misdiagnoses and tons of doctors, they finally realized I had a very severe nerve entrapment which then led to me developing CRPS/RSD. The hardest thing is grieving what you wanted for your life and not being able to do what I used to. I'm struggling so much because I haven't dated since becoming disabled, and I've always known I wanted children. Thank you for sharing your story. 💕Brandi

I would have been angry with the city leaving that hole uncovered.

I'm proud of you for speaking about this and giving the whole story. I'm not sorry for you. I believe that any one having a disability doesn't need pity. Compassion yes, but pity - no. So I am convinced that saying "I'm sorry" is the wrong thing to say. So I will say this - you have made the best of the situation life has dealt you and you just keep going and improving day by day - so you are my inspiration to work thru my own movement issues.

I’m watching this in my wheelchair thinking how your painful story is inspirational and I don’t feel as alone as I did before. Thank you for ask of your videos. Thank you for sharing the raw tenderness.

Thanks, Richard. Thanks to you I got over my fear of wheelchairs. I watched your tutorials while I waited for my chair to arrive, and thanks to you it fit perfectly the first time and I got what I wanted. I've got some big decisions and major changes to make in my life right now and this video has given me the courage to move forward. You and a bunch of others on RU-vid have shown me that there is life without walking. **Holds nose and leaps into unknown**

I am newly disabled and learning about wheelchair life. Thank you for being so vulnerable in sharing! There is a lot to learn with living with a wheelchair. A wheelchair is a freedom.

Thank you for sharing. My husband was injured in the military and has been wheelchair bound for the last 15 years and has gone through the tunnel of darkness, every time he’s had a set back. Over the years, he has gotten better and knows he will never walk again. One thing that has helped with the pain, is a Spinal Cord Stimulator in-plant. This helps blocks the pain signals from the nerves to the brain. He takes Pain meds for the break through pain but the stimulater has been the best thing for pain management. He will be going for his upgrade in a couple of weeks. It might be something that you haven’t heard of before or have, I don’t know. This is the first video of yours, that I have watched. I will be watching more and i wish you the best of luck on your journey

Richard, man I love your attitude and you’re so freakin funny!!! 😅😂😂. It’s been so uplifting to get to know you and yet so sad to hear all or part of what you’ve been through. Your tenacity is contagious and your sense of adapting to whatever comes along resonates with me. I almost bedridden from childhood abuse of me taking hits to my back as part of my “discipline” and am becoming more and more paralyzed as I grow older. Most every vertebrae has been fractured, broken, discs are herniated, bulging, and I’ve had both lungs collapsed. Parents were drug dealers and when I didn’t behave, I got herion, crack, LSD, etc. so I’d be quiet and then they could abuse me. So I couldn’t fight back. I was in rehab at 12, cold turkey. No drugs or any help from staff. Tied to a bed to “fight it out”. Parents told them I had been using for years and they didn’t know it until I started doing “stupid things.” (Social Services was onto them so they had to do something), and had taken me and put me in the foster home so I could change my “stinky attitude” of never listening to my parents. Long story very short. I’m also a fighter like you and will NEVER give up. I’m not wired that way. I have walkers and a wheelchair but can walk on my own pretty good still, but have really felt and seen my drastic decline in the last year with falling and a lot of instability. I’ll be fine. Like you said, just wait, things always change. I believe! I just found you and will check out your podcast and channel. I think this video was made for me because I need your strength and to laugh or cry with you as you fight for your life for your body not to take you down with it. Congrats on all your big steps Brother! I’m so very proud of you!!! 🎂 Peace and big love from Canada 🇨🇦 ❤✨🪔🦼🧘🏻‍♀️🌞🌹

Did you sue the city? You deserve a huge settlement for the city’s negligence leaving that hole open.

Thank you for sharing Richard. ❤️

Hey Richard, I just watched the whole vid and felt inclined to comment. I’m about your age, 30, turning 31 in a couple weeks. I also used to be top-notch fit, competing in building comps, as well as ocean rescue lifeguard tournaments. I don’t pretend to have the same level of struggle as you, I blew out my bottom two discs deadlifting like a total egomaniac about 7 years ago, but nonetheless I now struggle with the profess of spinal injury due to that, and struggle to walk, sit, etc, and any kind of gym routine or the like is a pipe dream I have nightmares over from missing it so much. I just want you to know I follow you because your pursuit of a good life is inspiring, thank you for taking us along with you.

After listening to your story, I was able to pinpoint that I’ve been struggling through getting past the denial phase and into setting realistic goals that I can allow myself to work towards. I will be thinking of this video when I start physical therapy this week, THANK YOU

I enjoy your videos. I’m not paralyzed but I am headed towards a wheelchair. I have IPF and I’m on the list for a lung transplant, I am on oxygen and have a portable machine that I use to walk around but even with the auction machine it is so hard and I could only get so far and I have to sit down. I recently went away with my wife and rented a scooter and just like you said in your video it made my life so much easier to get places and not be struggling. To breathe. I have a trip booked for Hawaii in 2021 for our 25th wedding anniversary I was planning on canceling it then I saw your video about getting around to an airport with a wheelchair. So I did not cancel it and I plan on going on that trip. And I’m just looking for things to do that or wheelchair friendly. Thank you for showing me that it can be done. I know once I get a new set of lungs I will be able to walk, so I know our cases are so different but you have been helpful to me and I do appreciate it. I hope you can find a way to get the C brace!

The way you described what it's like when you realize you're actually paralyzed was PERFECT. When it happens you just know & it's the hardest physical thing to try & explain to anyone that's never experienced it....well done. Wishing you so much success & pain free movement going forward ❤️

26 days after this video was created, I was the passenger in a vehicle that went off-road, airborne, rolled four times upon landing and the airbags didn't deploy. This resulted in 2 vertebral compound fractures, 1 burst fracture, T10 - L3 spinal fusion and non life threatening internal injuries from the lap belt. My legs were only paralyzed for the first 3 days after the accident and I've since progressed to a cane which, as you stated, is very slow and a bit unsteady. When given an EMG in June, the S1 tibial nerves in my feet had 0 response, hence the balance issues. I also lost feeling in the pelvic region immediately so, now that my internal issues have been addressed, my neurologist has begun a series of steroid epidurals in an attempt to pinpoint & reawaken those nerves. So far there has been little success. I was nodding, smiling and tearful at so many points while listening to this because I too was extremely active. In fact, for the last several years, I've worked side by side with a younger (I'm 49), all male, construction crew that does odd-jobs in our area. For anything from building 20x60 foot greenhouses, digging 400 yard trenches for new sewer line or demolishing/rebuilding chimneys...we were the people to call. My overall health, strength, abilities, physique, etc., have long been a source of pride and achievement for me....so the past 8 1/2 months have been physically challenging but mentally crippling. At the worst of my "downs" I've isolated, had heart wrenching emotional breakdowns and even suicidal thoughts at one point. Even though I have a great support system, I feel very alone and it recently dawned on me that I don't have to, I just have to reach out to people that have been here. Thank you for creating this video, I'm very glad that I found it.

I postponed watching this because I’m in a bad place with my injury and recovery. It feels unending. Thanks for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I needed that. Keep it going.

I would actually be interested in a “crash test” with a dummy, showing how your body would react in all sorts of landings from different heights. Like what exactly would happen if your hands hit first like when people fall forward, what would happen if you landed flat on your back, type of thing. It would be interesting to see which bones and structures are damaged and where the force travels to. So glad that you lived to tell this story, love the few minutes here and there that I get to watch your videos. You’ve taught me a lot. Thank you.

Thank you for the “brief” of your journey. I too am in the same place. I do have the C-Brace. I’m 100% permanent-total disabled veteran... so the VA purchased mine. And like you, it would take a book to go through the history of my journey to now. I do have other factors that make my circumstances unique, but we do overlap here. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to make this a possible option for you. Like I stated in my previous comment on another video of yours, I’m going to follow closely as your experiences could assist me, and maybe someday I can assist you as well. Who knows.Again, thank you for taking the time, and for putting forth the energy and for being vulnerable to this reality. It’s helped me already to know there are others like me in these situation. Best wishes... and keep thriving as best as you can, keep going. You’re getting there.

The roller coaster of emotions felt while listening to you was real and awesome. You’re a badass and beast and a life coach reaching and touching lives bro.

I'm amazed at the fact that you didn't shatter your heels from that hight (or maybe you didn't mention it?). Like you I fell, I fell from a significant hight (30 feet or 2 stories) and landed on both my feet and my bum. When I landed on both feet (right foot first which is why most of my severe injuries are on the right side of my body) I completely shattered both my heels (it's called a comminuted fracture which is the worst kind) and they were so badly fractured that they were almost beyond repair, but they were able to fuse both my heels to my talus bone somehow. I still till this day don't know if had they been able to screw the fractured bone pieces together, if I would be able to walk normally again like I used to, but this fusion does seem to have given me all the problems I have today. I've followed a lot of people who have fallen bigger heights than me, fractured both heels and are up walking as they used to...So I feel quite out of place in these ''fractured heel communities'' but never the less a fractured heel is one of the most serious bone injuries as it can leave you pretty disabled as it has for me. Because I fractured them so badly, I can only walk shorter distances and even with these shorter distances, it can get uncomfortable as I am essentially walking on two previously very shattered heels. From the fall, like you, I burst fractured my L4 and L5 but my spinal cord was unaffected - they had to do surgery from the front and back and inserted a CAGE - not sure if you had the same procedure? But I am left with some chronic back pain and I can't just sit for long periods because my back is very stiff. The rest of my injuries were healed conservatively, such as fracturing 3 ribs, my inferior pubis ramus and ilium on my the right side of my hip, and my sternum, and 2 collapsed lungs, pneumopericardium 11 mm (air in the sac of ones heart). I do have an L5 nerve damage (right side) which has made my hamstring on my right leg weaker, a slight drop foot on right side and some loss of sensation on a part of my calf and right foot (dorsal part next to my toes) and very seldomly some nerve pain on my right foot. Because the doctors thought I might have ruptured my esophagus,I was essentially not allowed to eat or drink for a week - man that was awful, the thirst was the worst part even if they were giving me fluids. But there is one thing I will never forget that my surgeon told me. He told me that because my injuries were so bad, they only gave me a 50 percent chance of healing process compared to how ''well I healed'' and then he told me that it was all me and my mindset and that is the reason I've come this far. I do believe that a strong mindset will go a long way

I really needed to hear this. I was the right person and this was the right story. I've replayed this multiple times today and am so thankful for people like you that step up through their enormous battles simply for the benefit of people who need help but don't have anyone. I don't want to quit, but sometimes like you said it's just so damn hard.

What an inspirational story. Loved your honesty and sense of humour.

I don't deal with paralysis or even KNOW someone dealing with anything like this. But in some magical way your channel found its way into my feed and I'm so glad it did. You have a lot of value to bring to the value - not just to the wheelchair or paralysis community but everyone.

Thank you for sharing your story. I am not paralyzed, but have lived with constant pain since I was 19 (hydroplaning accident). I have been in several accidents,starting in childhood, so I battle scoliosis, which was borderline as a teen, but currently causes problems. Now, at 59, I have 7 vertebrae fused in my neck & a spinal cord stimulator, which helped me get off 20+ years of Fentanyl patches. Pain is debilitating. Thank you for keeping it real!

It's interesting to hear all this, and to see that almost everybody who left a like also commented. I have mad respect for you, man, and I have absolutely nothing to do with wheelchairs or spinal cord injuries, I found your channel through an "ask me anything" video and have been watching everything since. Great stuff. You're one of the few channels out there who doesn't succumb to dumb, flashy challenges and fitness trends (maybe because you can't try every challenge, idk), but it's very down to earth and refreshing. Thanks to Andrew as well.

Your story is inspiring. My mom (this happened almost3 years ago) went into the hospital (on a Wednesday) able to walk, talk, and was able to carry on a conversation. She was living in a nursing home at the time. When she went back Monday morning she could NONE of them. She is now completely paralyzed. She can move her arms but can't put any weight on her legs. She can talk now. I have never had anyone who could explain what happened.

Hey thanls for sharing, its been 8 years for me on october 5th. I was in a motorcycle accident and landed head first in the side of a mountain. I had a compression fracture at my t5, the Dr said it looked like a hand grenade. They removed my T4,5,6 and replaced them with cadaver vertebrae. I ended up with 6 spinal fracture t3,4,7 t4,5,6, 11 ribs left shoulder blade and right wrist. Like you i knew it the second it happened, i never got knocked out. I landed face down looking at my hands threw the face shield of my helmet. I told them to move and my fingers moved, i knew then i would be ok and could get threw it. To those wondering no inwasnt speeding or doing anything stupid. I was going between 30 and 40mph. My right foot peg caught the pavement on a 90 deg eight turn and it flipped the bike over, (highsided) it was like a catapult and i was the rock.

Thank you is such a small phrase to fully express my gratitude for this video. 💙 I have multiple sclerosis. I am trying to regain my ability to walk, and function more normally and independently. I always go to your videos when I am feeling down and need motivation to keep trying.

I lost 30% hearing loss in my left ear and tinnitus from my service in the military, I mourn the lost and fight to deal with it and tinnitus. You motivate me thank you 🙏🏼

I am amazed that the hole that you fell in, was not covered or protected in any way. I’m not familiar with these parking garages in Atlanta so maybe I am missing something. It really is amazing that you survived and I have much respect for your journey and your strength of will.

You're a living miracle! And such an amazing inspiration - THANK YOU for being there and sharing everything! I'm actually here because I'm temporarily a wheelchair user and badly miss my independence and somewhere on the internet they recommend your scooter conversion attachment for a wheelchair, to be able to use it myself. I didn't bank on your wonderful encouraging story and finding that inspiration I've been needing since April 2023. Better late than never! I am 63yo and miss my salsa dancing, my running, my hiking on the mountains and walking... And just having a wheelchair for the last month, has made me regain that hunger for life and the enjoyment of being outdoors... Thank you from my heart. And you're welcome anytime here in the UK, as you have here another mum ❤ Xx Lucia 🤗 PS Wheels4Hope 🌟

You’ve come far my dude. Now you’re setting wheelie noobs like me, up for wheellife success. Thanks for replying to my insta post- was in a really low place with mental health (one of my cats was sick and passed aged 3 a few weeks back) it really gave me a boost to get those comments from you. Thanks for everything you’ve shown and inspired in myself and so many others- you are the reason I didn’t get that anger and shame etc... I’ve had nothing but positives in my 1yr of chair life thanks to you and your channel... I’ve always felt super confident and proud of my wheelie girl status, I’d not change it for the world, life is finally better than it ever was before

Thank you for sharing your precious wonderful self. I’m going on 7 years now and i am still dealing with large issues such as pain and bowel issues. I am still a work in progress. I wish you all the best and great success. Peace!!

Thank you for sharing your story with the world and giving me a better perspective on conquering the mental roadblocks of disability. Your vulnerability and resilience is badass. I hope I can gain your positivity and attitude soon.

Richard, you are such an incredible person. You truly inspire me and thousands of other disabled folk around the world.

I really enjoyed this listen... I did learn a lot about you , where you came from and how you arrived here where you are today. I have arachnoiditis, and a fear of losing my mobility. The spinal cord itself is rubbing against the bone. I have watched you for a while now and really for the fear of becoming wheel chair bound and how am I going to cope with it. Watching this is a reminder that you really do have to "ignore it and it will go away" *my way of coping with the nerve pain * Ignore the fact that I may lose my independence, and keep positive for what you can do. I am a volunteer firefighter, 60 year old woman, and I am not ready to give it up. I am in care of a pain management Dr. and totally refuse to take any kind of opioid, Mainly just for the reason you described. Love ya dude!

That's one hell of a story Richard, but i'm glad you're still here tot tell it yourself. Im turning 18 in December and have a lot of adult stuff to figure out, i'm so grateful I have my amazing mom who supports me through thick and thin. My parents are divorcing and with me having a physical disability, it takes a lot more out of me than I thought it would. But this hard time that im going through is temporary and I know that. This too shal pass. I hope you can find a way to have the C-Brace approved, from what i see it would be very benefitial for you. love from The Netherlands💙

Bloody hell, that was one unbelievable story!!!! I was on edge the whole time. I’m still in shock. Will definitely listen to your podcasts. You are a straight up honest storyteller. Your advice…..just wait…be patient & just wait. 👍👍

You should make business cards inside pamphlets for the Hospitals, Rehabs and Nursing Homes to hand out to new Wheelchair users. It would contain the following: Your Name Website Address Video Address Short Story of how it came to be. I believe this would be beneficial to the community, both the Wheelchair user and their families.

You are such a good memory teller! I was riveted and entertained the whole time.

You talk about spreading all your knowledge and stuff and that’s cool, like your chair on how to do wheelies and stuff was massively helpful to me. But i think the bigger thing for me is the stories. I was starting to go down a dark path with drugs, but you got me on a better path. learning from each other’s mistakes is so much better than having to make our own and learn from those.

This is crazy. Thank u for sharing. I’ve had many surgeries on my legs also. Was born with a defect in my knees and leg bone. Thank u Richard ! You rock

I was in a terrible accident, hit by a drunk driver. Amputee, spinal cord injuries, and a laundry list of trauma. I'm in chronic pain, non-ambulatory, like you, was active, professional skydiver. 10 years now and I'm so ready to just die. It seems that this bed is my future, pain is my future. How do you cope man? You seem so positive and alive. You and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Wish I could have what you do but I'm checking out soon. I'm so tired, exhausted...

I understand from the caregiver side of things. My husband and I were in a semi vs motorcycle accident he is a incomplete quad. Lucky me just broke my leg so I'm able to care for him at home.

When we have these injuries we tend to think that people know how we feel but when I hear you and your struggle it reminds me of what I’m going through and just how naive people are? Thanks for the comfortable feeling you only get from being able to connect to someone and their personal journey.

It's really nice to see all of the story told in one place. I've been watching the podcast, and went back and rewatched the ones I initially missed.

This makes me realize just how fake all those super hero landings are in movies. Jeez man. If a runner like me had fallen in that hole I'd be dead for sure. You are amazing!

You’re incredibly strong to talk about your experiences and relive it all. Thank you for sharing your story.

Thank you for sharing your story. I recently have had the misfortune of becoming a part time wheelchair user and following your story has helped me immensely. Thank you again.

Wow. I’ll definitely be subscribing to the podcast. So glad to have been introduced to your channel some time back. Thank you for sharing part of your story🤟

Im L5-S1 parapligic from a car accident. While in the hospital my then abusive husband was cheating on me with my best friend, so this accident saved my life. I was in a wheelchair for 6 years then worked hard to get out of it now I can walk but its not pretty sometimes. Im 16 years out and im really fighting myself about going back into wheelchair the fear of not being able to get back out of it, afraid it will become easier than walking and that anger is real but then you joke about things to make others comfortable. Its a big place inside your head and you get tired of justifying your disability (back injuries are a hidden disability) I was a surgical tech, drag racer and ran 5 miles a day to now I can't run, jump, skip, tiptoe or pee on my on but im still here. Thanks for all you do. It really helps my brain.

I have EDS and tons of it's complications. I did enjoy this story because I have a similar one with my whole life changing and not remembering and being in the ICU and then getting to the rehab hospital where they saved my life. I was only 20. I was a professional ballet dancer and teacher and it was all taken. Now to just keep going I have to do PT for Everything, I swear... I'm grateful you shared your story. At my rehabilitation hospital, I made a few friends who survived falls (one of which was of a five story parking deck, another fell through glass of a skylight, crazy stories everywhere...) But I didn't fall that much I was a fall risk cause of pain meds but they helped me get mostly off of those as well. Also developed cachexia(starvation) due to the pain meds suppressing my appetite and making me sleep ALL THE TIME. Anyway, my wonderful PT there literally picked me up and carried me to the PT room once. Eventually, one month of moping and two months of solid hard work that I never want to have to go through again, and I was on the outside, and going to Disney world (literally-for a wish trip) three days after leaving the rehab hospital. I remember when other people who got there after me went how before me and I hated myself for it but I was told everyone heals at different rates and there are treatments for some stuff and not others... it made my heart drop every time someone else got to go home. I don't remember much and we had to rest a lot but at least I got to see it and was cleared for rides! It was the only thing I was looking forward to after getting out. Today, I am seeing that very same doctor who gave me forty-eight hours to live. She's been my main doctor I see every month, and I even used to go to church with her, so we have a great relationship and she is understanding about me not wanting more and more meds. She's been really encouraging. I believe everything happens for a reason I'm like you Richard, one thing happens... I recover a bit, and then another terrible thing is next- right when I'm getting used to my new normal.

Thankyou for sharing your story, Good to be able to share with the younger people that cross my path. Your a more appropriate role model that a 62 year old grandma.

I hope I can watch this whole video to learn about your story. I love seeing fellow wheelchair users or “wheelie bois” tell their story. I’m a happy your still alive to this day I’m glad your injury was not as severe and your still here to this day and I’m glad your doing amazing to this day and being able to be normal and live normal. I finally got my wheelchair on Monday and have been using it all this week. Can’t wait to learn your whole story. Thanks for everything you have taught me on your channel I don’t know what I would have done without your wheelchair basics and all your videos which I enjoy watching

Boy I thought I had problems I'll never feel sorry for myself after seeing what this guy has been through hang in there and may God bless.

I do apologise, but I burst out laughing when you were talking about your feet only being held on by your shoes and then saying to yourself "Oh!..I'm fucked!" What an absolutely horrendous situation though. I've watched some of your other videos and you've certainly not lost that sense of adventure though, since your accident. DON'T. Don't ever lose that or else you really will be fucked! I can tell just by watching those videos that you've thought "Right, ok this has happened. Now I just need to grab life by the balls and get the most out of it!" Good on you! By the way, when you were talking about just knowing that you're now paralyzed, I can kinda relate. Although my paralysis has been from birth. I have Spina Bifida.

I watch this all the way through. I want to work towards living alone. I’m 15 years old and it’s only a matter of time before I get to that age where I can move out on my own and I want to but it’s hard because I have cerebral palsy.

Such an amazingly personal and honest story.. you are truly properly inspiring

You are such a survivor…. I had a brain tumor that was supposed to shrink with radiation but hey 6 years later I was down in Philly having brain surgery… so many now new normals that I have to deal with… including left sided deafness….. I understand your struggle…. If u ever want a chat hit me up… A friend in PA

Amazing story and like you I myself have had to deal with some shitty setbacks. We have to keep pushing towards the next goal. My goal is to be able to do 10 pull-ups in a row and to get in great shape. Thanks for sharing your story 👏

Hey dude. I have pretty much a similar story. I am a C4 incomplete quadriplegic after a diving accident on 1999. Not on a wheelchair but walking (really bad and slow) with a walker. 20 years later I managed to drive again and 3 days before my evaluation, had a fall and broke my leg (both bones) and then on a wheelchair for 6 months. Now walking again as before and I have that evaluation for driving in 2 days. Hope to do it this time! LOL. Keep doing nice videos. I really like your videos and some of them gave me inspiration. I really really thank you. Alex (Greece).

Thank you Richard for sharing your story. I enjoy your videos and I'm almost 3 years in as a T12 incomplete. Your videos along with the Rollettes and Chelsie Hill have given me so much encouragement. Without y'all I wouldn't really have anyone to look to about spinal cord injuries.

I got shot in the back by a thug at martin luther king park over something that I had nothing to do with. Im L1 incomplete. Im going on 9 years. The first 5 years was extremely bad. Surgeries, depression, relationships ending but the last 3 years has been good to me.

Your story is very inspiring. I recently became a paraplegic as a result of a bad motorcycle accident that happened May 11th 2023. I broke my t4 and t5, paralyzed from the chest down. It sucks really bad, but I’m learning, I’m trying everyday to be better than the day before. Things are just so hard now, but I’m still trying. Thank you for your videos, they’ve been a great help. Keep pushing forward brother🤟🖤♿️

You are an amazing chap Dominic with a super family. Your resience matches your faith. Thanks for sharing your upliftng story. Keep it steady too x

Your stories and really positive attitude have really helped me cone to terms with needing one. It has taken me years to come to this way

When I was younger twice I dropped from 1 story roof.. or roughly 3-5 metres. First time I did a roll.. but boy did it feel like the limit of achieving a roll. Second time I fell more directly and pretty sure I got a hairline fracture on my heel and hurt the other foot. 15 Meters is brutal, 50% survival chance. My dad's in that club of people. Hit by a car close to 90km/h, 1% survival chance. He came away with Rods in his leg and a supervirus, no sense of smell, minor brain injury, A restructured face and years of depression, seizures and painkiller addiction. It's weird to think I wouldn't exist without that miracle.

You did an amazing job telling your story. Keep moving forward!

I know we look good, but we don't like people looking at us all the time ♿️

Saw your vidio i'm 67 and my right leg was amputated can't see ahead anymore but you gave me something to think about

I became paralyzed from the waist down 30 days ago. I wanted to say Thanks for sharing. It inspires me to not become angry and addicted even though that seems impossible to accomplish.

I suffered a C4-5 spinal cord injury and brain injury on New Years Eve 2007 when I was 17. All I could remember was that Christmas and waking up in hospital 5 months later. I've gotten memories back through the years. I have vague memories of being on a roof (I lived in an upstairs flat). I can't remember falling but I can remember the pain of breaking my sternum. I don't remember ever being conscious (which I wasn't) but I can remember the defaulter being used to restart my heart which god damn hurt. I can remember trying to pull out the feeding tube that was in my nose and I can remember having the breathing tube in my neck. It's strange having all these snippets of memory but nothing complete. I was in an induced coma for 3 weeks and ICU for 5. I broke my neck, sternum, back in 2 places, tail bone and both my femurs (I landed legs first like you did). I also fractured my nose (breaking my septum) and split my skull open, damaging the optic nerve and the temporal nerve. I'm an incomplete with almost full use of my upper body and use of my legs, feet and toes. It's hard trying to explain to people how I can be paralyzed but still have use of the parts below my injury, which is why I relate so much to you and what you can do. I can't walk and never will but I can stand with assistance and do squats. My friend was here yesterday with her kids (2 and 4) and the 4yo waned to do a high 5 but with our feet. I'm happy that I can do that :-)

I found one of your videos the night they sent me home from the hospital. I was sent home with a wheelchair and no idea how to use it. I started to day walking painfully and poorly but still, I could walk. By the end of the day I was trying to figure out how to get to my bed on the second floor. I found the video showing how go up the stairs by bracing your legs. After that I found another video and another... That first night you showed me that it was possible to live fully in a wheelchair. I had fought it for so long and knew it was coming sooner rather than later. I thought a wheelchair equaled failure, that I had given up and let these bloody diseases win. Since then I have reclaimed my life and I’m finally making progress. My chair has helped with my mobility, pain and exhaustion levels. Plus we had to sell our house in the city and found our dream bungalow in the county. We have 4.5 acres with an orchard and 1 acre field for gardens with raised beds, a greenhouse and additional fruit trees. I even have a chicken coupe. My husband and kids are making plans to put in paths and ramps to all the outbuildings. They are clearing the old trails on the property so I can drive the 4-wheeler in the woods. Thank you for making these videos. Thank you for sharing the honest, sometimes sad and mostly funny truth about life in and out of the wheelchair. You are my inspiration. 😉

Dude, with everything you've been through, I'm beginning to wonder if you're the terminator

You have So MUCH experience!!!! I will get back to your channel tomorrow to learn. I thank God for your life!!

Thank you for your honesty.

I'm an ATLien and I remember hearing about this many moons ago. It is crazy to put a face to an incident because it makes the story so much more personal... I'm so glad you have made the most of your experience. Cheers!

Omg you have no idea how inspirational you truly are. I could of never done what you did. I would be having a pity party Thank you. Giving help to others while you're paralyzed. You should be soooooooo Proud of yourself.

As you were talking about falling, I was getting literal pain flashes in my lower back. I’ve had this since I was in a motorcycle accident, it’s the weirdest thing. Pain, I’m in constant pain 24 hours a day, so I can relate to what you’re saying. Thank you for sharing your story. You can either embrace the suck, or waist your time bitching and complaining. I choose to embrace the suck

I enjoyed hearing your story. I have my own, beginning when my spinal surgeon effed up multiple times on my “routine” fusion surgery, leaving me paralyzed below the waist (incomplete). He then kept me drugged so deeply that I remember almost nothing of the two weeks before my transfer to the rehab hospital. I didn’t eat or poop the entire time. The surgeon lied to me and my family, saying that every thing went great (my three hour surgery took TWELVE). Thirty years later, here I am, watching you. Life goes on.

A while back on their way to visit me, my parents passed a multi-car pileup (something like a semi, a pickup, and another car, and no shoulder on the 2-lane highway) caused by hydroplaning - one learns very quickly to never use cruise when the road is wet (especially as wet as the night you described), and to slow down if something feels off; my dad took off the cruise and they were fine, but something like 13 emergency vehicles (highway patrol, fire, EMS, possibly sheriff as well) passed them on that last stretch of the drive between the pileup and my house, coming from the town my parents were driving to. Very glad your car didn't hydroplane as well in those treacherous conditions you described. I found your channel via your "Flying in a wheelchair" video, and I have learned a ton from your videos, particularly the wheelchair skills ones - last week I mastered going down curbs facing forwards, and just yesterday I finally mastered hopping up regular curbs with ease: where I live, the sidewalks are pretty horrible - they stop and start randomly, some overgrown lawns reduce sidewalk width by as much as a foot, and most intersections (except on the main street) don't have any curb cuts - so now that I can go up and down curbs easily, I'm no longer confined to the street in places where there's no curb cut to get back up onto the sidewalk (I wheel in the street when I need to - like if the sidewalk ends - but I prefer to not if I have a choice). My goal was to master hopping up them by Thanksgiving. The goal I'm currently working on is going downhill in a wheelie, which isn't overly difficult (I can currently hold it for about 20-30 ft at a time, though I haven't figured out how to go into it while moving - probably has to do with my chair's setup, since I only got it a month ago and some things still need adjusting), but I worry a bit that my SmartDrive will fall of its bracket because of the angle the chair has to be in. My next goal is to learn to land while staying in a wheelie, because I want to eventually learn to go down a small amount of steps (2-3) facing forwards (I have the perfect set of stairs to practice on - 2, wide, shallow - that sticks off my front porch opposite of the ramp, but I will likely need a spotter for that, so it will probably take a bit longer; I'd love to try going down a longer flight backwards, but there aren't any good ones near me to do it on). I've gotten a few of the annoying remarks, but they never come from people I know (the people who know me are usually either concerned about me because they've never seen me in it before (I'm a part time user and always have been) or they compliment me on it), and I was prepared to deal with them because of watching videos like yours (the "nice to see you out" one really gets me). Today, someone I happened to pass twice while I was out told me that I seemed to always be so happy - I told her, "well, yeah, going from being able to only go one block to being able to go as far I want is really nice" (I've always tended to be a cheerful person, and also getting out today, one of the very last sunny 60-something degree days of the year, was really invigorating).

Loved watching this video, my son, who is 11, sat through almost the whole video watching it with me. He literally had Jaw Dropping moments. Thank you for this.

Thankyou so much Richard for sharing!! Means a lot Brother! You show so much strength🎉

My cousin fell from 37 feet while working on a plane. He also survived 🙏🏻 glad you're still with us

I might not be in a wheelchair or have a spine injury but I have alot of food allergies. And I understand the feeling of not being able to do those things I want to. For example I want to be able to eat in resturant and travel. I enjoed this video alot because I know I dont have the same problem but I know for sure that I need the same mindset as you have. You always has to see the bright side in everything you do and try to make the best out of the situation.

You are such a powerful, amazing human being! Blessings!🌻💛

Thanks for your honesty! Only half way thru your video but it is amazing g!

Thanks from New Zealand. You have been very inspirational to me, made me realise how lucky I am. I Don’t have full spinal damage but walking is so difficult and painful I have already realised the wheelchair is my saviour. You just made me realise that is a good thing. thank you and I wish you all the very best.. Thank you

In 2009 I was in a bad accident. We hit black ice and got T boned. I broke my L-2 fractured my L-5. Now I’m fused from my T-11 thur S-1. Now I have 14 screws and 2 rods in my back. The 2 lady’s in the other car passed away. So sorry for their families. It was just a freak accident. Keep going strong buddy. Your doing great.

I have a heart condition that means if i walk any further than the size of your average convenience store, i will pass out. It means that for many outings, i am in a wheelchair to prevent any falls or injuries. I feel a gratitude for it now, watching this.

Not got a spinal cord injury, I have spina bifida but the videos on this channel are the best. So many great topics and a lot of great advice. Keep it up!

My Dad was painting a tall building he had a heart attack which stopped his heart. He fell to the ground like dead weight. The impact was so powerful it restarted the heart. Not one broken bone in his body. He damaged his heart but was alive. They did many tests as they didn't believe he hadn't broken anything. I know a paraplegic who got injured skydiving. His chute never opened. He is in the paraolympics. You all have extra angels watching over you for sure.

It was long, but definitely worth to see if (I didn't understand everything because of terminology but it was really important story to hear it). Thanks a lot for sharing your story.

hi...5years ago I had to start using a wheelchair... MS and spasticity/// then a year ago compression fracture of my spine then then because of a really bad bus driver.then . about 2 weeks ago my scooter toppled over resulting in a hip contusion and a lot a lot of pain.. I cannot the you what an inspiration you are. I've lived in an apt community in manorville ny for the last 7 years and have searched far and wide thru doctors and physical therapists and the internet for wheelchair sports.. spinal chord injury support groups and on and on and no one has told me anything.. and I've found nothing on line.. and as far as custom chairs are concerned I was Told during a "seating evaluation" that they essentially don't exist. I am furious.. its as if people want to see you in a nursing home instead of living independently.. which to present I've been doing on my own and with my own ingenuity.. and no resources ..so you can imagine just how refreshing your video was.. seeing that people ike me are out there living good fulfilling ives..and . now onto your wheels2walking

Decided to post another comment. I think you totally should publish a book about your life and thoughts, would love to purchase that.

26:43 the way u talked about your noddle leg had me cracking up. i love your sense of humor.

I Broke my back in a dirt bike accident and am a complete paraplegic.What got me through is support from my family.The way i see it is you cant change the past so why dwell on it? Make the most of what you've got.Lifes a bitch but you gota carry on.Thanks for all your videos.