Working Out

I've only been blogging for a little while but hopefully my passion for staying in shape has come through? I was a fit guy before my accident but it was more of a result of my active lifestyle rather than a real dedication to fitness.

After the accident I think it is one of the most important things in my life.

I've been so fortunate to receive the epidural stimulation and know there are great things on the horizon for people living with paralysis but even with so much hope there is a constant nagging in the back of my mind about being physically fit for when these developments come about.

This is a constant battle for me...my muscle spasms are so bad I haven't slept through the night in years. My legs have a crazy mind of their own and will kick or shake uncontrollably every single day. I've been on baclofen (treats muscle spasms) and enjoyed the peace it brings. There are so many benefits to living a spasm free life! For me though, as much as I HATE the spasms, when my legs spasm I see the muscles tense. It's a small bit of comfort in an otherwise almost unbearable situation.

Not being able to voluntarily activate muscles below the chest anytime I want I love to see they're still alive.

I also love the feeling I get after a great workout. I know exercise releases endorphins but I think working out in a wheelchair increases the amount released...I've got no science here but when I'm at the gym I think about how hard it was for me to even get there, I think about all the machines I can't even use, the people staring at me thinking and the additional effort it takes me to get around a typical gym. The number of people in wheelchairs in your average gym is very little and those kind of odds make the workout that much more meaningful. If I can do it so can you. It isn't easy, it's beyond frustrating and sometimes you'll wonder why you even bother--everyone paralyzed or not does! But I can tell you one thing--when the cure comes you'll be ready! You'll be a better candidate, you'll recover faster, your heart will be stronger, your immune system will be stronger and you'll already have some muscle mass.

Those first workouts are the hardest (I'll get into my first workouts in a later post) but don't give up! The benefits from working out are unreal! I've never been so grateful I can workout - even if everyday is an arm day ;)

Here is a video of me trying to prove my brother wrong...he said I couldn't pull myself up a rope and do 10 pull-ups...

 

Back AT IT

It's been a busy week for me I'm finally moved in with my sister. I've got all of my stuff unpacked and now ready to see what happens next. It's funny...before I moved down here I had all of these plans that I would be doing and now that I'm finally here, I'm not sure on what I  should do. O well I will just have to get out there and get started and do my best. Also, last week was very exciting for me my best friend Jonny Lamb and his wife brought there son into the world Jacob Ryan Lamb cute kid I'm so happy for them.

Have a great day!!!!!

T. Wilson

When you go through a life changing event there will always be people around who help you--whether you know what they've done or not. My accident was in August and I don't remember anything until about October. I know there many people who helped me and literally saved my life. Many of them I will never know but many are still by my side nearly five years later.

I think it goes without saying my family and friends have been an endless support system for me. They've made sacrifices I can't even begin to repay and continually encouraged me.

One person who really has gone out of his way to help me with my motivational speaking has asked for no recognition so I'll call him Tom W. or is that too obvious? Maybe he'd prefer Mr. W.? Or T. Wilson? Either way, this man who shall remain unnamed ;) has taken his role as an educator to a whole new level.

In a twist of fate Mr. W. was with me the morning I went in for my first major surgery after the car accident. My family had been by my bedside since I was life flighted in and left around 1am. They were told I'd be going in around 6am but I was prepared for surgery at 5am as they were on their way to the hospital. Mr. W. happened to be there with his wife and was told by another teacher I had been in a car accident. He used his classic Mr. W. charm to track me down in the surgery wing and they told him I was getting ready to go back for surgery. Since my family wasn't there yet I guess they assumed he was family and asked if he wanted to go back with me while I waited. I was not conscious but I know his familiar voice was a comfort for me as I was wheeled away for the 10 hour surgery.

He checked back in on me throughout the recovery process and then our paths crossed again after my cousin asked me to come speak to her class about a year ago. I was at my dad's shop practicing for my first public appearance. Truth be told I was practicing to a wall and must have looked a little crazy when Mr. W.  came around the corner. I explained what I was preparing for and he asked if he could come along. Of course a familiar face in the audience was more than welcome.

After the first speech Mr. W. must have seen something because he has been my biggest supporter to grow my speaking abilities ever since. I would never be where I am today without him. To him and everyone else who have been behind me--thank you.

My first day at the University of Utah Hospital 

Life in Heber

I've been trying to find a place to live in Salt Lake and finally after talking with my brother in law I'm going to move in with him and my sister for awhile until I can figure out what I'm gonna do now. So Heber Utah is my new home for now but the good thing is they have a nice gym here for me to workout at and lots of trails I take my hand cycle on, plus I get to hang out with Ashley and Bryant!

Today I'm going to work with my stimulator and hit the gym!! work hard!!!

Ready for More...What Am I Gonna Do Now?

I think I've mentioned it before but in the last few months I've been working (alongside some very amazing people) to develop a motivational speech titled "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" I started out telling my story to small groups of friends and family and have continually developed the speech and grown the audiences to schools and companies. I've had the support of some really fantastic and generous people to get this far and I think I'm ready for more! My speech is about challenges we face and the possible next steps.  One of my favorite lines is "you can wipe the tears from your eyes or the sweat from your brow" and I think it is applicable to so many situations.

After my speeches I've had many people come up and tell me about the struggles they face. It's humbling to have someone share with you their deepest challenges and hear that my story was an inspiration in some way. Being in a wheelchair your challenges are always in the public eye and maybe that makes it easier to talk about? For whatever reason people confide in me the feeling of hope grows with every speech and I want to continue to develop my speaking skills and audience.

I'm looking at moving to Salt Lake to further my motivational speaking. It's a good place to live and I am ready for something new. The uncertainty is a little intimidating but I better take my own advice and do something about it!

Back to GR

I just got back to Green River from Salt Lake and last night I went on my blind date and that went really well. While I was in Salt Lake I had the opportunity to try out the re-walk and that's robotic legs that you put on and it gets you up and walking around. It was awesome!! I also stopped by Neuroworx to say hi and visit all my friends and that's were I use to do my therapy.

Now its off to the Gym to get my workout on and do some work with the stimulator!!!

Dating...

My sister is trying to set me up on a blind date.

The dating world is a whole different story when you're in a wheelchair. I'm sure most people, in a wheelchair or not, get the pre-date nerves...is she as cute as her picture (or in this case as everyone says she is)? Will she think I'm good looking? Will we have enough to talk about? And of course the dreaded awkward silence that is bound to occur. Beyond that though I've got a lot more to think about--will the place we meet be handicap accessible? Will she be thinking the whole time about me being in wheelchair? Will she treat me differently?

For the most part, once you get enough confidence to actually set up the date, the first encounter can be awesome. I can plan enough ahead to make sure the odds are in my favor for handicap accessibility and I'm happy to share my story and answer the questions she's probably wondering. It's the thoughts of the potential next time that make dating stressful. What if she wants me to go to a party or meet her friends? Or maybe eventually her parents?

I've been to enough of my friends' houses to know most homes aren't easy to get in or around. At a friends house I am usually comfortable enough to do what I have to do to make it work--whether that is having someone carry me up the stairs, setting up makeshift ramps or using the bathroom in a closet or bedroom if the doors are too narrow to get in the actual bathroom. But how do you explain that situation to someone you're just starting to date, her friends or family?

These are just some of the thoughts running through my mind when I think about dating. The list goes on and on although it isn't enough to keep me from trying. I'm building my confidence by going to the gym and staying in shape. It's amazing how a great work out can make you feel like you can take on the world...or a blind date!

This isn't me--just some random image from Google but someday maybe it will be...

Back to the 307

Headed back to Green River, Wyoming this afternoon. It's was a great trip visiting LA (Wings for Life & Red Bull) and stopping in to see my sister in Heber, Utah. I loved spending time on the beach and enjoying some California sunshine. Had an embarrassing moment though...while rolling along 3rd Street in Santa Monica I was crossing the crowded street with lots of other people when my wheelchair decided to dump me, face first, into the street. Middle of the crosswalk, cars waiting to go and there I sat motionless on the ground. In true LA fashion no one seemed to notice. Not that I needed the help but not one offer or a simple "are you ok?" from the crowd of people. I got back in my wheelchair as fast as I could and once I crossed the street I took a hard left to hide my embarrassment. As I rolled another 10 yards down the next street my wheelchair decided again to toss me to the ground. Now I'm just plain mad and shocked because I've been doing this now for four years so why now? This fall happened in front of a taxi line with taxi drivers outside their cars on a smoke break. They saw the action and asked if I needed help. I sat on the ground looking at my wheelchair like I was trying to adjust my tires and said "no thanks, I'm just trying to fix something." But really I was just embarrassed and trying to play cool. I got back in, wheeled away and thought sometimes it just happens. So the next time you trip and fall, twice...or get bucked out of your wheelchair just remember what Forrest Gump said "it happens."

Before I head home I'm off to the gym to work out and practice with the stimulator. 

My high school friend Tanna and her daughter Riley in Santa Monica.

day 1

I got up this morning and made a few phone calls trying to schedule some time with a coach to help me polish up my speech. I'm also working on trying to get people to sign up for the World Run that is on May 3rd and the proceeds go towards spinal cord research set up by Wings for Life. I also created my own team with the Christopher Reeve Foundation trying to raise $36,000 to fuel breakthrough research and ensure others are just as lucky. Be a hero and #JoinReeve by donating on my page. Every $1 counts. Together we are unstoppable. #TeamReeve http://bit.ly/DShillcox

So I've had a busy morning now off to the gym for a good workout and practice with my stimulator! 

I'm just starting to blog

I'm sitting here at my sister's house and I've decided to start a blog about my life. As I continue to work towards my goal to be a motivational speaker I want to share my story along the way...my ups and downs, work out goals, travels and passion to speak out about the honor I've had to be an epidural stimulation recipient.

With a T5 complete spinal cord injury (paralyzed from the chest down) this procedure has allowed me to move my legs, toes and ankles and receive progress in autonomic functions.  My quest is to provide information of the research and inspire hope for others faced with spinal cord injuries.

I plan to share details about working out in a wheelchair, my progress with the research, my efforts to be a motivational speaker and other struggles faced daily by people living with disability.