By Travis Thompson

Are you ready to make the rest of your life, the best of your life? Your dreams may have been shattered at the brink of a dime, and you might feel as if you are alive inside a foreign body, and misplaced into a strange universe.

As time passes you find that completing the smallest tasks are great accomplishments. Many months of soul searching, tears, and near endless struggles have passed and you have come to the realization that although life might not be the same as it once was you are going to maximize life to the fullest.

You decide that you will no longer let the months, and seasons pass you by. You are ready to embark on a journey that only few will travel. You might not have a specific destination, but you know your strides will lead you forward. While traveling along your journey you will find that there are special people here to help you.

If you are asking yourself, “Do you have what it takes? “ The answer is YES! Overcoming obstacles and adversity will instill an impregnable strength inside of you that some can only wish for. All it takes to utilize this strength is some deep soul searching.

Chris Lanham has done a lot of soul searching, and he knows that he has what it takes. He is a C-5 incomplete quadriplegic. He had lived a normal life of a healthy 18 year old until September 9th 2002.

He had just graduated high school and was starting college in two weeks. That night he was driving home from work when he saw a raccoon in the middle of the road.

He was going around a corner and up a hill when he steered left in attempt to miss the raccoon. Little did he know that his attempt to spare the animal’s life would ultimately change his forever.

When he switched lanes to avoid the raccoon he suddenly saw a truck heading right towards him. As he quickly slid back to the right lane his back end slid, and he ended up running into a boulder on an embankment on the side of the road.

Chris is now a power wheelchair user, and rarely thinks about that September night. He has triumphed through his whole ordeal. He is a student at the University of Louisville. I spoke with him, and asked him a couple of questions pertaining his outlook on life.

What was your life like before your accident?

I was your average 18-year-old guy. I played football and I was really into car stereos. I was very excited because I was about to start college at West VA state. My move in date was right around the corner.

What went through your mind when you realized you were paralyzed?

Well, I wanted to know what other factors were involved with being paralyzed besides the lack of movement. I also was concerned about working.

How long has it been since your accident?

It’s been about 3 years.

What steps have you made in attempt to reconstruct your life?

I had to go to physical and occupational therapy for about 2 years straight just to be able to learn how to live and survive on my own. After I felt strong enough and capable I decided that it was time to go to College. So now I am in school and finding a job is my next step.

What are some things that have helped you make it through your adversity?

Well, my mom has really helped me get through this. I’d also have to say that keeping a positive attitude.

What made you decide to go to the University of Louisville?

It was a good University and it was close to home.

What role did the state have in helping you get back to college, and how did you go about getting that help?

I started talking with Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation as soon as I left the hospital. They have paid for my tuition and books, which has really helped me. They have also given me vouchers for Louisville “Care Tenders” They are a group who helps people with disabilities with their basic activities of daily living. The government paid for me to have a service dog, which has also been very helpful.

How accessible is the campus?

Overall it’s pretty accessible. Not too many rough spots but there are a couple that could be worked on. When you run into an obstacle you just have to adapt and overcome. You can’t be afraid to ask for help.

Can you tell me about a situation that you had to overcome?

They had a dorm that was supposed to be accessible. The summer before I started school I visited the campus and the dorm had no ramp, no automatic door openers and the doorways were too small. So I contacted the housing director, and they immediately began to work on the dorm so that it would be ready by the time school started.

What do you do when you run into a problem?

Well, I just have to adapt and overcome. I had to learn that you can’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

What are some of the social things that you enjoy doing?

I enjoy fishing, going to concerts, working on car stereos, and attending barbecues.

What kind of advice would you give to a young person who has a spinal cord injury and feels lost, like they cannot find them self?

Try to keep a positive attitude and don’t let the little stuff bother you.

Chris is definitely right. You cannot control your circumstance, but you can control your attitude. It’s nothing that will happen over night, but if you stay positive you are going to realize that with a little bit of time and effort things will get better. And with that I leave you with the question, “Where do you go from here?” I hope in due time you will realize that answer is, “Anywhere I want!”

Travis Thompson is a writer and 2nd year college student majoring in business. From Chicago, Illinois, he attends school in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 2005-02-10

Reprinted with permission from the Youth in Motion section of www.spinalcord.org, official website of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association.