Is Your Faith Bigger Than Your Fear?

Let your faith be bigger than your fear!

 

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Keep Going- It Gets Easier

Don’t' give up, the beginning
is always the hardest. – Kemmy Nola

 

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Back to the Outdoors

Outdoor Life in A Wheelchair...

Before my car accident and back/spinal injury (that caused paralysis) one of my favorite things to do was be in the mountains, hiking, seeing beautiful scenery, and enjoying the outdoors. It's been hard for me getting back into doing all the activities that I use to do. It's helpful to talk with others and learn a different way on how to make things happen. 

For me, getting back into the mountains in the winter time, I now use a snowmobile and in the summer I've been on a track chair. So its pretty cool, finding new adaptive equipment that can allow me to enjoy and do the things that I love doing!!

-Dustin

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's avaibalility to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Monday Motivation- Stand in Faith

Stand In Faith...

You may take standing up for granted; for a  paraplegic, standing is not an easy task, and even impossible for most! But, I've been lucky enough to participate in a cutting edge medical experiment to help people like me do just that. It gives me hope, but more than that, I have faith in my ability to walk again! (Standing is just one step closer to that goal of getting out of this wheelchair.)  What is going to motivate you today... What are you gonna do now?

 

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Wheelchairs Suck

Life in a Wheelchair...

I've been in a wheelchair now for 5 years, and I want people to understand what I mean when I say, "I've enjoyed my life and I wouldn't change anything." I know and I feel the same way when someone say's that this wheelchairs sucks and I wish I had the use of my legs. 

That's something I wish too, but this wheelchair doesn't define me it's not me. It might be something that's happen to me, but I'm not going to let it control my life. When I say I wouldn't change anything I'm  talking about the life I've lived. I now have amazing new friends and experiences! 

No matter what challenges you have to deal with, it's going to be up to you to overcome and the choices you make that will decide what happens in the future. I'm going to keep living my life to the fullest and enjoy each the moment, because you never know when something is going to happen.

-Dustin

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Paraylzed- 5 Years Ago

5 Years...

It’s been 5 years today, since I was in my car accident that left me paralyzed. I’ve been through some hard and very rough times; days where I wasn’t sure about my life.

It’s also been a pretty great experience! I’ve met some amazing people, had the opportunity to be part of an exciting spinal cord research program and now I’m doing things that I never dreamed of. This has all happened to me because of the best friends and family anyone could ask for!! I can’t thank you all enough for the love and support I’ve received, I wouldn’t be where I’m at toady, without you.

I have to say as crazy as it might sound, (and not that I don’t wish I was walking again), but I wouldn’t change my life today for anything! Thank you all so much. I love you!!

-Dustin

Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's avaibalility to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Live Today!

"What are you gonna do?"

"I don't believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive." -Joseph Campbell

We don't all have the same chance to keep living! After 5 years, and lots of faith, Dustin Shillcox is working hard with the help of a spinal cord simulator from a research study to get back on his feet.  He's one of 4 people in the world to experience this amazing tool that has helped transform his paralysis. Learn more about Dustin and how he is making a difference and how he wants to help you finish strong...


Written by Nickel Lowman
For Dustin Shillcox

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